What distinguishes airborne LIDAR from terrestrial LIDAR?

Airborne LIDAR is characterized by its mounting on aircraft, which allows it to capture data from an elevated perspective over large areas. This aerial setup enables the collection of topographic and geospatial information over extensive landscapes more efficiently than terrestrial LIDAR, which is typically stationed on the ground. The aircraft can cover vast distances quickly, making airborne LIDAR particularly valuable for large-scale mapping projects, such as environmental assessment, land use planning, and forestry applications.

The other choices introduce concepts that are not inherently distinguishing features of airborne LIDAR. For instance, while geological studies can utilize both terrestrial and airborne LIDAR, being used for geological studies is not unique to airborne systems. The resolution of airborne LIDAR can vary but is often quite high depending on the equipment and methodology utilized; thus, suggesting lower resolution does not necessarily set it apart. Furthermore, airborne LIDAR can be affected by weather conditions, such as heavy rain or fog, which can impact its operation and effectiveness. Therefore, the defining aspect of airborne LIDAR being mounted on aircraft makes it the correct answer.