Interpretation and Mapping in 3-D Virtual Reality of Pleistocene Red River Distributaries on the Prairie Surface Near Lafayette, Louisiana

Pleistocene Red River distributary courses on the Prairie surface near Lafayette, Louisiana are interpreted and mapped in a 3-D virtual reality (3-D VR) system developed in the Center for Advanced Computer Studies (CACS)at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. As has been our experience with previous interpretation and mapping research in 3-D VR we have been more able to quickly and accurately map the features in this environment than when utilizing 2-D or pseudo-3-D presentations. This largely results from the intuitive interaction with the data set and the ability instantaneously to test multiple hypotheses in 3-D VR.

The mapped Pleistocene distributary courses extend for several tens of miles across the Prairie surface and exert considerable influence on present day drainage. Since these channels are leveed a large percentage of the area of the present day drainage basins are bounded by these levees. Minor present day drainage occurs within the relic leveed channels. Of particular interest are the courses which extend through Lafayette, Louisiana, some of which might be modified to conduct more runoff than they do away from developing areas experiencing drainage problems.

We will present our images and interpretations in dual projector 3-D with glasses supplied for the audience.