ISSN 2079-3537      

 
 
 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
Scientific Visualization
Issue Year: 2012
Quarter: 4
Volume: 4
Number: 4
Pages: 30 - 43
Article Name: VISUALIZATION OF SEISMIC DATA ON A VIRTUAL GLOBE
Authors: A. Bobkov (Russia), A. Leonov (Russia), V. Chebrov (Russia)
Address: A. Bobkov
alexander.e.bobkov@gmail.com
Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Moscow, Russia
 
A. Leonov
a.leonov@ihst.ru
Vavilov Institute for the History of Science and Technology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
 
V. Chebrov
chebr@emsd.ru
Kamchatka Branch of the Geophysical Service of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Russia
Abstract: Methods of three-dimensional modeling of deep structures and the visual analysis of data (primarily derived from networks of instrumental observations) are actively developing in geophysics. However, the presentation of the data is still based mostly on conservative methods like flat surface maps and cross-sections of the Earth. At the same time a trend of virtual globes is becoming popular. It is related with the development of new hardware (GPU) and software (NASA World Wind and osgEarth).
The article describes 3D-visualization of seismic data on the basis of a transparent virtual globe: catalogs of earthquakes, subduction zones, seismic regions, the data of seismic tomography, etc. Several methods are proposed in the article: the method of rendering and filtering of the arrays of a point data on GPU (for the catalogs of earthquakes), volume rendering techniques adjusted for the curvature of the Earth’s surface (for the seismic tomography), the methods of correct rendering of a transparent terrain in coordination with other objects, methods of visualization and animation of various underground processes.
Authors developed an application for a consistent 3D-visualization of the seismic data in a single context with easy adjustment of display modes. The application supports different stereoscopic display devices. Stereo-mode allows the visual separation of the groups of hypocenters as well as visual separation of underground objects from the objects, located on the surface of the Earth.
Language: Russian