3D Visualization Techniques For UXO Risk Evaluation

The following article is by UXOInfo.com Guest Author Maarten Bosma

The Netherlands Currently there is a very unique UXO clearance project on-going at a former WWII era mock German airport that was setup to support munitions training during the war. The site is one of several former airfields in The Netherlands that contain UXO from previous training exercises.

A magnetometer survey was completed at the site to identify buried UXO including a magnetometer survey conducted from the ground surface as well as magnetometer probing to get an accurate picture of the number, size and locations of UXO at the site. Magnetometer probing is a process by which a specialized magnetometer based probe is pushed through the ground to gather readings in real time along the z-axis.

This process provides for a more accurate picture of the subsurface anomalies at the site. The image to the right shows the implementation of magnetometer probing at a UXO site.

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For the mock German airfield site, a grid size was 2.5 meters by 2.5 meters was selected for the magnetometer probing with the maximum average depth of each probe reading ranging between 8 to 10 meters or until the probes reached a sand layer with a density less than 10 MPa.

The survey team developed a 3D visualization based upon the magnetometer data using Voxler software to plot the calculated size, depth, and location of UXOs buried at the site. A sample of a 3D plot from the site is shown below. The 3D visualization is useful for developing safety and risk profiles for the site as it shows where the spatial relationship between UXOs at the site.

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Not Your Typical "Photo Bomb" on the Vineyard

Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts A MA State Police Bomb Squad carried out a controlled-explosion of a 100-pound photo flash bomb discovered by a USACE crew at Long Point Wildlife Refuge. A US Navy EOD team from Newport, Rhode Island was also on the scene to provide technical support.

Trustees of the Reservation (TTOR) rangers cleared the beach and parking lots of visitors under the direction of State Police. As an added safety precaution, the West Tisbury Fire Department and EMS were on the scene as well for the detonation.

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Run Scheduled To Benefit EOD Warrior Foundation

Washington, D.C. The EOD Warrior Foundation will be the beneficiary of a 5K and Half Marathon on June 25, 2017 in Georgetown. The Warrior 5K and Half Marathon will be run on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Path, near the Nation's Capitol. The half marathon begins at 8 a.m., and the 5K begins at 8:30 a.m.

Walkers are welcome to participate in either event. There is also a virtual run option for those who would like to support the cause, but can't make the race date or location. Each racer, including those doing the virtual run, will receive a race t-shirt and custom finisher medal. Race T-shirts are guaranteed for all who register by June 14. T-shirts for those who register after that date will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information, please visit http://www.eodwarriorfoundation.org/events/events/view/244.

Man Drops Live Munition Off At Sheriff's Office

Boulder, Colorado The bomb squad was called to respond to the sheriff's office after a local resident dropped off a munition. Reportedly, the man wanted to dispose of the ordnance, described only as an "old projectile" and decided to drive it to the sheriff's rather than call police. The bomb squad was able to safety transport the item for off-site disposal.

Church Says "Thanks, But No Thanks" for the Donation

Allentown, Pennsylvania The Allentown bomb squad and a Pennsylvania state bomb technician responded to a South Whitehall Township church after someone dropped off a box containing a WW I-era military ordnance to be sold at the church's garage sale.

The item, identified as a detonator for a piece of artillery, led to the evacuation of the parking lot as the bomb squad safely removed the item from the scene for further analysis and proper disposal.

Munition Spotted In Canal

Barnoldswick, United Kingdom A local resident called police after he reportedly noticed a munition item in the shallow waters of a canal. The Royal Logistics Corps Bomb Disposal Unit was dispatched from Chester and spent several hours searching the area before finding a WWII era practice projectile. The bomb squad safely removed the item for proper disposal and thanked the public for reporting the find.

Fire Sparks Detonation of Dutch Ordnance Collection

Etten-Leur, Netherlands Residents in a Dutch town were surprised by a series of explosions when a shed containing WWII munitions caught fire. The fire sparked detonation of many of the munitions which were reportedly part of the homeowner's ordnance collection. An EOD team is investigating.

Some of the items found were very dangerous, including phosphorus grenades. The remaining UXO was disposed of by EOD. It is unknown why the shed owner had such a large (likely illegal) collection of WWII munitions.

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