Mount Rushmore to get Laser Treatment

By: Dan Walsh

Graphics and Marketing Lead

July 29th, 2009

CyArk in USATODAY

Jeff Martin wrote an article in USA Today about the upcoming Digital Preservation of Mount Rushmore.

"The stoic faces of Presidents Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt and Lincoln will never know what hit them.

This fall, crews from Scotland and California will shoot laser beams at the Mount Rushmore National Memorial as part of a project to create a digital three-dimensional model of the iconic mountain carving from all angles.

The effort, known as laser scanning, will give archaeologists and others the data needed to repair or rebuild the colossal monument in case it is ever damaged by an attack, an earthquake or some other calamity, says Navnit Singh, director of interpretation and education at Mount Rushmore.

"It's revolutionary," Singh says of the technology, pioneered by Ben Kacyra, whose California-based firm CyArk, works to digitally preserve cultural heritage sites using laser scanning and other technologies."

Read the full article at USA Today

Comments

August 11th, 2009 Jen said:

\"In case it is ever damaged by an earthquake?\"

OK, when was the last time there was an ever an earthquake in South Dakota?

August 24th, 2009 Dan Walsh said:

Jen,

It's very easy to believe that simply because something hasn't happened in a long time, that it never will. True, seismic activity is not common in South Dakota (although it does exist), but why take the chance?

Earthquakes aside, erosion is one of the main concerns of site conservators. Digitally preserving the rockface will ensure that our former presidents don't end up looking like the sphynx.

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