A generic system for integrated modelling of multi-dimensional spatial data

A generic approach to computer modelling of earth science data is presented, utilising a state-of-the-art scientific visualisation environment (AVS/Express). The greater flexibility of such an approach allows us to handle a wide variety of different data types, including geophysical data as well as other earth science data (eg, stratigraphy, geomorphology, palaeontology) which often contrast by being generally discrete bodies rather than continuous fields. Application of volume visualisation techniques generally demonstrates that the sparse nature of sampling favours using surface-extraction techniques, such as isosurfaces and slicing, rather than direct voume rendering techniques. These techniques have also been applied to temporal 4D data-sets by incorporating time-slices into animation. However, all these procedures require a high performance worksation to be effective. Therefore, to allow greater desktop analysis of compex models, we are using the Virtual Reality Modelling Language (VRML) which provides considerable scope for increase access to 3D/4D data for education and collaboration.