Drones have revolutionised the gathering of geoenvironmental data over the last decade. To date, the majority of drone studies of sedimentary rock successions have focussed on well-exposed vertical to subvertical cliff sections. Here, we describe a fundamental method to obtain new data and perspectives on sedimentary successions exposed in partially-obscured foreshore or other horizontal to subhorizontal outcrop surfaces using drones. We illustrate the technique using an example from foreshore exposures of Jurassic strata near Helmsdale, Scotland, UK. Our method aims to make the process of safely collecting drone footage accessible and covers practical considerations from pre-field preparation to data processing. Capturing drone imagery in a foreshore setting involves trade-offs between the time of day which constrains the lighting, the time of year which determines algal cover and tidal range, and the flight time available which indirectly governs image resolution. We show how: (1) orthomosaic images can be used to view sedimentary deposits at different scales and angles enabling identification of large-scale sedimentary features marked by small-scale changes in orientation and lateral variability; (2) production of digital elevation models permits differentially weathered features covered by water or algae to be distinguished, and (3) drones can be used for close up photography of inaccessible features.

在过去十年中，无人机彻底改变了地球环境数据的收集方式。迄今为止，大多数关于沉积岩序列的无人机研究都集中在暴露良好的垂直到近垂直的悬崖部分。在这里，我们描述了一种基本方法，用于使用无人机获取有关暴露在部分遮蔽的前滨或其他水平到亚水平露头表面的沉积层序的新数据和观点。我们使用来自英国苏格兰赫尔姆斯代尔附近侏罗纪地层前滨暴露的示例来说明该技术。我们的方法旨在使安全收集无人机镜头的过程变得可访问，并涵盖从场前准备到数据处理的实际考虑。在前滨环境中捕获无人机图像涉及在限制照明的时间、一年中决定藻类覆盖和潮汐范围的时间，以及间接控制图像分辨率的可用飞行时间。我们展示了如何：（1）正射镶嵌图像可用于观察不同尺度和角度的沉积沉积物，从而能够识别以小尺度方向变化和横向变化为特征的大尺度沉积特征；(2) 数字高程模型的制作可以区分被水或藻类覆盖的不同风化特征，以及 (3) 无人机可用于对难以接近的特征进行特写摄影。(1) 正射影像可用于观察不同尺度和角度的沉积沉积物，从而识别以小尺度取向和横向变异为标志的大尺度沉积特征；(2) 数字高程模型的制作可以区分被水或藻类覆盖的不同风化特征，以及 (3) 无人机可用于对难以接近的特征进行特写摄影。(1) 正射影像可用于观察不同尺度和角度的沉积沉积物，从而识别以小尺度方向变化和横向变异为标志的大尺度沉积特征；(2) 数字高程模型的制作可以区分被水或藻类覆盖的不同风化特征，以及 (3) 无人机可用于对难以接近的特征进行特写摄影。