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Z. Dt. Ges. Geowiss. (German J. Geol.), 167 (4), p. 405–418, 13 figs.

Article
Published online November 2016

Visualising 3D geological models through innovative techniques

Peter Wycisk & Lars Schimpf*

Wycisk, P. & Schimpf, L. (2016): Visualising 3D geological models through innovative techniques. – Z. Dt. Ges. Geowiss.,
167: 405–418, Stuttgart.
Abstract: The increasing number and availability of scientifically accurate 3D geological models raises questions about
adequate visualisation demands and the technical possibility of overcoming limitations in viewer perception. The paper in-
troduces some innovative and newly applied visualisation techniques from other sectors that can be applied to 3D geological
models. These techniques comprise of: 3D printing (polymer-gypsum), 2D and 3D lenticular large format printing, 3D true
colour holograms, and glass laser engraving 3D block models of different formats. From the authors’ experiences working
in this field, the techniques’ applicability to 3D geological models, including strengths and weaknesses, is summarised and
illustrated.
Keywords: 3D geological models, scientific visualisation, 3D printing, lenticular image, glass laser engraving model, sci-
entific communication

1. Introduction area of the cities of Bitterfeld, Halle (Saale), Magdeburg,


Stassfurt and Berlin, ranging from 65 up to 890 km2. The
Geological 3D models have become more and more popular vertical extent of these urban geological 3D models reaches
during the last two decades. Their use in helping audiences from 300 up to 1200 m.
understand the geological subsurface, as well as being a base Due to the increasing complexity of the models, the ad-
for different scientific investigations in the field of applied vancing modelling techniques, and presenting the models in
geology, regional stratigraphy, and mapping, is well-estab- different scientific exhibitions, questions have emerged re-
lished and still discussed (e.g. Kaufmann & Martin 2008, garding the models’ visualisation potential, presentation, and
Kessler et al. 2009, Royse et al. 2009, Wycisk et al. 2009, necessary supporting information. With the increasing pub-
Arndt et al. 2011, Hubert 2011). However, even more inter- lic interest in these local and regional geological models, the
esting is the further and ongoing use of the models after their challenge of scientific communication was to apply and de-
scientific elaboration, as pointed out by Turner (2006). velop visualisation techniques that would be understandable
This paper introduces methods for using three-dimen- for audiences outside of the geoscientific community. This
sional geological models and data to communicate effec- public interest has increased with the introduction of the
tively, using different innovative visualisation techniques for German national competition “Land of Ideas”, where the
a cross-domain user community. presented visualisation concepts were judged and awarded in
The Department of Hydrogeology and Environmental 2007 and 2012. However, this interest leads to a need to con-
Geology at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg has sider two aspects: (a) to what extent the models are acting as
been working to develop 3D geological models. Over the eye-catchers and increasing the retention of the viewer, and
last fifteen years, different geological models have been de- (b) the appropriate method of visualisation and the additional
veloped, and because of the increasing complexity of the information needed to adequately explain the content.
models and the modelling techniques, new questions regard- Viewing 3D model content on a computer screen through
ing the visualisation, the presentation, and the communica- a software tool or with independent viewer systems can be
tion of the technical and scientific content arose. The 3D incredibly complicated. Meanwhile, modern viewer systems
models under discussion have a high complexity and high based in web services are much more user-friendly. Regard-
resolution in both the vertical and horizontal scales. Hori- less, computer-based visualisations of 3D models on a screen
zontally, these models cover massive areas, such as the entire create in most cases an emotional and perceptional distance

*Addresses of the authors: Dept. Hydro- and Environmental Geology, Institute for Geosciences and Geography, Martin Luther
University Halle-Wittenberg, Von-Seckendorff-Platz 3, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany / peter.wycisk@geo.uni-halle.de; lars.
schimpf@geo.uni-halle.de.

© 2016 E. Schweizerbart’sche Verlagsbuchhandlung, Stuttgart, Germany www.schweizerbart.de


DOI: 10.1127/zdgg/2016/0059 1860-1804/0059 $ 6.30

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