PORTABLE PLATFORMS FOR THREE-DIMENSIONAL VISUALIZATION IN GEOSCIENCE

In the Earth Sciences, the subject material encompasses inherently three-dimensional concepts as well as processes that are distributed over large spatial scales (nanometers to thousands of kilometers) and extensive ranges in time (seconds to billions of years). 3D visualization can have a direct impact on scientific discovery, as hands-on 3D visualization facilities allow researchers to conceptualize the inherent three-dimensionality of Earth structure and geodynamic processes. We present results of visualizating geoscience data on platforms ranging from a high-end CAVE environments to low-cost and portable 3D virtual reality platforms. Results are visualized with the open source software 3DVisualizer and ShowEarthModel. Examples include the superpostition of seismic data sets on Earth structure and 3D geodynamic simulations of subduction and mantle flow at triple junctions.