Photogrammetry as a tool for detecting recent crustal movements

Progress in model building and in advanced exposure and evaluation methods is leading photogrammetry up into the field of precise point determination, up to now solved by classical geodetic triangulation and/or trilateration. In combination with the statistical test theory, photogrammetry can be used as a tool to detect recent crustal movements or deformations of man-made constructions, such as in coal mining or oil and gas exploitation.

For these reasons, this paper deals with model building for modern aerial triangulation with respect to hypothesis tests to detect point displacements greater than the measurement noise. An example from brown-coal mining demonstrates accuracies and the application of some statistical tests shows the efficiency of advanced aerial photogrammetry.