Scientific Visualizations of Data Collected From EarthScope's Seismic Observatory (USArray) and San Andreas Fault Observatory at Depth (SAFOD)

Looking at data from perspectives other than map view, or standard cross sections, can help researchers with their science. Interactively exploring visualizations of multi-dimensional data allows scientists to assess the quality of their data, identify links between different data types, assist with project planning, refine their hypotheses and more easily convey research findings to a wide range of audiences. Working with EarthScope scientists we explore ways to use visualization techniques to help researchers explore their data and explain key concepts and theories. Examples of our visualizations include: (1) Movies of the temporal evolution of earthquakes, detected and recorded by USArray stations, juxtaposed with the progress of USArray station deployment. (2) Using the USArray station spacing as an irregular grid we create a 3D mesh depicting displacements generated by teleseismic waves. (3) An interactive 3D visualization of data pertaining to the SAFOD observatory (i.e., drill hole plans, side tracks, surface and borehole experiment locations, geologic cross-sections, seismicity and fault planes). (4) Exploration of the temporal evolution of the Rayleigh wave group velocity dispersion throughout the California region. (5) Interactive 3D visualizations of notable earthquakes that include, but are not limited to, the location of the mainshock epicenter and hypocenter, historical seismicity, USArray seismic station locations and station codes, geographic boundaries and topography of the region. We make these visualizations available for free download on the web within a day or two of the mainshock event so they can be used in classrooms, outreach venues and for media response. These visualizations can be accessed from the visual objects library at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography's Visualization Center (http://siovizcenter.ucsd.edu/library.php). They include 3D interactive visualizations, Quicktime movies and online tools and can be explored using freeware that runs on multiple platforms (e.g., Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, SGI Irix). If you would like help visualizing your EarthScope data please contact us at vizinfo@ucsd.edu.