LiDAR is a technology which uses laser light to create a 3D representation of the earth's surface. It can be used to find archaeological features which are not immediately visible from the ground or through traditional satellite images.

DSM LiDAR

DSM (Digital Surface Modelling) includes all terrain and above-terrain features (e.g. buildings, trees etc).

DTM LiDAR

DSM (Digital Terrain Modelling) includes only terrain features and filters out above-terrain items. It can be useful in situations such as when researching a heavily wooded area.

LiDARFinder lets you uncover hidden features under the ground by showing you a split-screen view of a map and its corresponding LiDAR view.

On startup, LiDARFinder will show you a random interesting location. If you have granted the site location permissions, it will move to your current position. If you are using a mobile device, the map will keep following your current location until you centre the map somewhere else.

On desktop

Use the mouse to drag and centre the map as usual. Click near the boundary where the two views meet and drag to change the proportion of the map and LiDAR view.

On a mobile device

Tap on the map to re-centre or drag it. Tap and drag near the boundary where the two views meet to change the proportion of the map and LiDAR view.

LiDARFinder uses clever software to combine map data and LiDAR data from various sources to let you see what's under the ground at a particular location. This software runs in your browser window and as you move or resize the map, it works out which images to request from each provider.

It's important to note that we don't store or provide any map or LiDAR data ourselves - your web browser is requesting the images directly from each provider to your desktop or mobile device.

Sometimes, a provider might have a problem with their systems and images might not show. If this happens, we'll try to help by contacting the appropriate provider. Email us at the address at the bottom of this help window.

Click the search icon to find a location. Enter a place name or postcode and select the appropriate match from the drop-down list. The map will move to that location.

Click on the target icon to move the map to your current location. If you are using a mobile device, the map will move with you until you centre the map somewhere else.

Tap the cog icon to access the settings menu.

Note: All settings will be 'remembered' by your web browser so the next time you visit LiDARFinder on the same device, everything will be set up the way you last left it.

Map settings

Map layer - select the type of map you want LiDAR type - select DTM or DSM data (see What is LiDAR?) Flip map layers - view LiDAR in the top half of the screen and maps in the bottom half, or vice versa.

Mobile settings [only available on mobile devices]

Follow my location - turn 'follow me' mode on and off Optimise for Retina devices - this improves image quality for some Apple devices with Retina screens.

Restore Defaults

This option resets all settings to their default values.

Everyone hates ads, but LiDARFinder costs money to develop and run. The ad bar at the bottom of the screen helps keep the site going. Please consider purchasing something to support us :-)

Provider	Attribution
MapTiler	© MapTiler © OpenStreetMap contributors

Area	Attribution
England	© Environment Agency copyright and/or database right 2022. All rights reserved.
Wales	Contains Natural Resources Wales information © Natural Resources Wales and Database Right. All rights Reserved.

Screenshot from LiDARFinder https://lidarfinder.com.

Map data © MapTiler © OpenStreetMap contributors.

© Environment Agency copyright and/or database right 2022. All rights reserved.