UAV-based 3D modeling of formation processes for fairy chimney-like structures, Çanakkale, NW Turkey

Abstract

Fairy chimneys are natural and cultural assets that have a very important historical and touristic value and are caused by geographical events such as rain and wind over a long period of time. The geology of the areas where fairy chimneys form generally includes layers with different resistance to erosion. Fairy chimneys are constructed and eroded by natural effects. In this study, the subject of analysis is a small region of fairy chimneys in Çanakkale (NW Turkey), Yeniçam village, which developed in a sedimentary sequence. The analysis of the geomorphological characteristics of the fairy chimney area, which has geological importance and is thought to attract the attention of society as a geoasset, was revealed using different methods and techniques. For this purpose, the paper presents an example of using photographs taken by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and processed using the structure from motion (SfM) procedure along with geomorphological field study of the fairy chimneys. The aims of this paper were, first, to compare and verify UAV/SfM-derived data and the digital elevation model with the cartographic image based on traditional geomorphological field-mapping methods. Second, X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis was carried out to determine the mineral assemblage in these sequences, which consisted of intercalations of sandstone and conglomerate. According to the integrated results obtained related to the formation and development processes of fairy chimneys in the study area, the existence of a fairy chimney-like formation in Yeniçam was determined and it was revealed that the region has geoasset potential.