Virtual and Augmented Reality for Visualization of Big Data: Examples from Deep Earth to Subsurface
Abstract
3D visualization of complex phenomena in virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) enhances visual communication and leverages learning process. VR has been used mainly in visualizing 3D models obtained from various modeling tools and visualizing an existing physical environment (e.g., the topography of a given basin or an underground tunnel). However, augmenting a complex phenomenon with the 3D model of the physical environment induces various complexities due to increased cognitive load. Besides, many complex phenomena in geosciences have been using big data, where visualization helps exploration of it. Similarly, visualization eases analyzing the analytics outcomes. When the analytics results are for a process occurring in a physical environment, overlaying 3D virtual environment with results of analytics improves the interpretation. Hence, an optimal design is needed for effective visualization in AR/VR.
We present the visualization of various phenomena, including big data analytics results for an underground tunnel and global-scale deep interior of the Earth in VR and AR. For the deep-Earth visualization examples, we use first-generation global adjoint tomography models (e.g., Bozdag et al. 2016) as well as new-generation ones involving, for instance, azimuthal anisotropy in the upper mantle. The goal is to use these tools for classroom education and public outreach as well as facilitate efficient exploration of global models for research. We utilize VisIt for initial exploration of the models and extraction of seismological features and use Blender to render 3D contour plots for movies. The subsurface models involve an underground tunnel, which represents an exact geometrical model of an existing underground opening from Colorado School of Mines ' Edgar Experimental Mine. We developed various visualizations for processes operating in this realistic physical environment, namely, stress distribution around the tunnel, displacement vectors, results of a big data analytics performed for geomechanical properties of rock material. We use VR and AR for the developed visualizations and let students use them in geoscience education and research. Future steps will be developing guidelines for effective visualizations VR and AR using the feedback from the users- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2019
- Bibcode:
- 2019AGUFMIN21B..05D
- Keywords:
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- 0850 Geoscience education research;
- EDUCATION;
- 9820 Techniques applicable in three or more fields;
- GENERAL OR MISCELLANEOUS;
- 1992 Virtual globes;
- INFORMATICS;
- 1994 Visualization and portrayal;
- INFORMATICS