Integrating LiDAR and Landsat Images for 3D Visualization

In this work, we present a visualization tool of 3D spaces obtained from integrating Landsat and LiDAR images. The increasing necessity of visualization tools in geosciences and the availability of information motivated this project. The tool was developed using the Unity 3D engine, which is widely used in the video gaming industry. In this work, we combine images from different sources, such as Landsat 7, Landsat 8, and Sentinel 2, with a digital elevation model obtained from LiDAR images, producing a virtual reality environment. Furthermore, we applied some remote sensing techniques, such as spectral enhancement, false color composites, and band ratios to identify some specific features of the area of interest. The visualization can be done using a virtual reality visor, such as Oculus Rift or Google Cardboard, but you can also view the results on a single smartphone. This tool can bring us new opportunities to explore the earth, breaking at some point the spatial barrier and being able to study remotely almost any place of interest. The tool is focused mainly on geophysics and geology students at the National Autonomous University of Mexico as an alternative for field courses. Still, it can be widely used in any other area.