Geological 3D modeling for excavation activity in an underground marble quarry in the Apuan Alps (Italy)

•Terrestrial laser scanning and geological surveying in an underground marble quarry.•Topographic and geological mapping and 3D modeling.•Capability of accurate measurements of exploitable material volumes and distances.•Proposal of future directions of excavation according to the geological structure.•Support of geomatics in engineering–geological surveys and stability analysis.

The three-dimensional laser scanning technique has recently become common in diverse working environments. Even in geology, where further development is needed, this technique is increasingly useful in tackling various problems such as stability investigations or geological and geotechnical monitoring. Three-dimensional laser scanning supplies detailed and complete geometrical information in short working times, as a result of the acquisition of a large number of data-points that accurately model the detected surfaces. Moreover, it is possible to combine these data with high quality photographic images so as to provide important information for geological applications, as follows. A working approach, that combines terrestrial laser scanning and traditional geological surveys, is presented. A three-dimensional model, that includes information about the geological structure in an underground quarry in the Apuan Alps, is realized. This procedure is adaptable to other geological contexts, and because of its operating speed and accuracy it is invaluable for optimal excavation, in which a proper planning of quarrying activity is vital for safety and commercial reasons.