Exploring the Depths: How SLAM LiDAR Scanning is Revolutionizing Cave Mapping in Italy's Frasassi Caves
25 July, 2025 by
charlie.li

Deep under the Apennine Mountains in central Italy, the Frasassi Caves are some of Europe's most amazing natural wonders. These huge underground spaces were shaped by water over millions of years. They offer a special look into Earth's history. Now, thanks to new 3D LiDAR scanning technology, experts can record and protect these caves with incredible accuracy.
In a recent field application, Riccardo Gosetti, CEO of ROGO Technologies, led a project to scan part of the Frasassi caves using the FJD Trion S2, a compact portable SLAM-based 3D LiDAR scanner. To bring geological expertise into the process, he invited Fabrizio Bendia, a geologist from the School of Science and Technology at the University of Camerino, to participate in the documentation and interpretation of the site.


The Geological Story of the Frasassi Caves

The Frasassi Caves began their story about 200 million years ago. Back then, this spot was a warm, shallow sea, much like a tropical beach. Over a long time, a type of rock called limestone formed at the bottom of this sea. Then, for many millions of years, powerful forces deep underground pushed the seabed up. This slowly formed the Apennine mountains. Around 2 million years ago, this entire area finally came out of the sea.
Once the land was exposed to the elements, it began to change. Water, weather, and a special process called karst (where water slowly dissolves soft rocks like limestone) worked together. Over a long time, these forces carved out amazing tunnels, rooms, and rock formations underground. One of the most stunning is the Candeline Hall, famous for its towering stalagmites and cathedral-like space.
 

Scanning the Caves with FJD SLAM LiDAR Tech

To map the complex shapes of this cave, the team used the Trion S2 Scanner  from FJDynamics. By using SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) technology, this special scanner maps and knows where it is at the same time. It's made for mapping in places where GPS doesn't work, like caves, mines, and tunnels. Key features of the Trion S2 include:
  • 120-meter range
  • 320,000 points per second acquisition rate
  • ±1.2 cm accuracy
  • Two integrated 12 MP cameras to enhance SLAM tracking using visual cues
Unlike common scanners that sit on a tripod, the SLAM-based S2 scanner lets you map in real-time as you walk through the area. This meant the team could scan the target cave areas in one go, even in tight and uneven spots, without needing extra markers or reference systems.
 

Field Efficiency and Environmental Safety

Mapping delicate natural places like Frasassi caves needs tools that are not only precise but also don't disturb the environment. The Trion S2 is light and handheld, so the team could safely scan delicate formations without setting up big equipment or physically touching the surfaces.
Because SLAM allows for fast, continuous scanning, the team spent less time underground. Even so, they still created very detailed 3D maps (point cloud data). This is a huge benefit when working in dark or humid places, which are common in caves and speleological sites.
 

From Point Cloud to Digital Twin: Processed in FJD Trion Model

After scanning the cave, the team imported all the collected data into the FJD Trion Model . This is a special software made for working with 3D scan data, and it works perfectly with the Trion S2 scanner. You can use the Trion Model on a computer, iPadOS, or Android device, and it has different tools for many kinds of jobs. Using the Trion Model, the team was able to:
  • Visualize and inspect the 3D point cloud in real time
  • Extract cross-sections and elevation profiles of the caves
  • Measure spatial distances and volumes inside the caves
  • Export standardized files (LAS, PLY, E57, etc.) for collaboration and archiving
This software plays a critical role in transforming raw scan data into meaningful outputs for documentation, analysis, and long-term monitoring in the research of the Frasassi Caves.
 

Enhancing Research and Collaboration

With the processed 3D scan data, the team created a digital twin of the scanned part of the cave. This is a very detailed 3D model that can be shared and shows the cave exactly as it is now. This digital model can be used for:
  • Monitoring geological changes over time
  • Academic collaboration with researchers and institutions worldwide
  • Public engagement via virtual tours or educational videos.
As Bendia pointed out, tools like this allow them to see small changes in the cave's structure and help everyone better understand how caves form – all without physically touching or disturbing the site.
 

Elevating Your Surveying with FJD Tech

The successful mapping project in Italy's Frasassi Caves proves that FJD Trion truly makes a huge difference in mapping the world around us. By using both the FJD Trion S2 LiDAR scanner and the FJD Trion Model software, FJDynamics offers a one-stop solution from scanning to data processing. This helps surveyors easily and precisely capture, process, and study even the most complex places. Whether you're working underground, in forests, or on construction sites, FJD's complete solution offers incredible flexibility and accuracy.
 
Contact us to learn more or schedule a personalized demo: Contact FJDynamics