PI:  Chris Harding

Summary: For many geoscientific tasks—such as natural resource exploration, geohazard prevention or aquifer-characterization—geologists need detailed information about the underlying structure of subsurface rock formations in the form of a computer 3D Earth model. Traditionally, 3D geologic shapes have been modeled using visual-only systems. This project will investigate using touch, sound and visuals in virtual environments as a way to understand and model 3D geologic shapes. Using a combination of 3D stereo vision, force-feedback (haptic) technology, and interactive audio streams (sonification), the project’s focus is to design and implement a variety of different interaction methods for deforming and cutting triangle meshes representing geologic surfaces (rocks and faults). Additionally, a user evaluation of these methods will test how well geologists are able to interactively correct spatial errors in the shapes of geologic surfaces. This multi-modal VR system is an open source project that will lay the foundation for the next generation of mainstream computer systems for modeling 3D geologic structures.

At Iowa State University, the system will be used to teach tectonics in structural geology classes, to study multi-modal interface design as part of the Human-Computer-Interaction program and to provide an early research experience to the undergraduate students of the Honors program.