VolcanoVR: A virtual reality environment for volcanic data visualisation and communication

With the increasing size and complexity of geological datasets relating to volcano monitoring and research, effective visualisation can be challenging. Here, we demonstrate the possibilities of volcanic data visualisation utilising virtual reality (VR) and 3D game engine technology to create a robus...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Kristian Hansen, Simon Barker, Finnigan Illsley-Kemp, Craig Anslow, Christof Mueller, Graham Leonard
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Volcanica 2025-03-01
Series:Volcanica
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.jvolcanica.org/ojs/index.php/volcanica/article/view/313
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1850207509154889728
author Kristian Hansen
Simon Barker
Finnigan Illsley-Kemp
Craig Anslow
Christof Mueller
Graham Leonard
author_facet Kristian Hansen
Simon Barker
Finnigan Illsley-Kemp
Craig Anslow
Christof Mueller
Graham Leonard
author_sort Kristian Hansen
collection DOAJ
description With the increasing size and complexity of geological datasets relating to volcano monitoring and research, effective visualisation can be challenging. Here, we demonstrate the possibilities of volcanic data visualisation utilising virtual reality (VR) and 3D game engine technology to create a robust and adaptable program called VolcanoVR. VolcanoVR can display multiple complex datasets and has been developed to investigate volcanoes in the Taupō Volcanic Zone, New Zealand. To assess the usability and effectiveness of VolcanoVR a survey was conducted, involving 33 participants, ranging in education level and previous experience with volcanic data and VR. Results indicate VolcanoVR is easy to use with high immersion ratings and acceptable system useability and mental demand scores, with minor improvements made following the survey. Limited variability across user experience levels indicates the program is useable for a broad range of geoscientists. We have made the source code for VolcanoVR freely available so that it can be easily adapted and applied worldwide to a range of different volcanoes and geological settings.
format Article
id doaj-art-39a963d8532b462686b8b46300b74b9f
institution OA Journals
issn 2610-3540
language English
publishDate 2025-03-01
publisher Volcanica
record_format Article
series Volcanica
spelling doaj-art-39a963d8532b462686b8b46300b74b9f2025-08-20T02:10:31ZengVolcanicaVolcanica2610-35402025-03-018117518710.30909/vol/vccy3095298VolcanoVR: A virtual reality environment for volcanic data visualisation and communicationKristian Hansen0https://orcid.org/0009-0004-2129-2484Simon Barker1https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3090-1403Finnigan Illsley-Kemp2https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7114-033XCraig Anslow3https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8064-6300Christof Mueller4https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7092-0158Graham Leonard5https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4859-0180School of Geography, Environment and Earth Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand.School of Geography, Environment and Earth Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand.School of Geography, Environment and Earth Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand.School of Engineering and Computer Science, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand.GNS Science, Avalon Research Centre, Lower Hutt, New Zealand.GNS Science, Avalon Research Centre, Lower Hutt, New Zealand.With the increasing size and complexity of geological datasets relating to volcano monitoring and research, effective visualisation can be challenging. Here, we demonstrate the possibilities of volcanic data visualisation utilising virtual reality (VR) and 3D game engine technology to create a robust and adaptable program called VolcanoVR. VolcanoVR can display multiple complex datasets and has been developed to investigate volcanoes in the Taupō Volcanic Zone, New Zealand. To assess the usability and effectiveness of VolcanoVR a survey was conducted, involving 33 participants, ranging in education level and previous experience with volcanic data and VR. Results indicate VolcanoVR is easy to use with high immersion ratings and acceptable system useability and mental demand scores, with minor improvements made following the survey. Limited variability across user experience levels indicates the program is useable for a broad range of geoscientists. We have made the source code for VolcanoVR freely available so that it can be easily adapted and applied worldwide to a range of different volcanoes and geological settings.https://www.jvolcanica.org/ojs/index.php/volcanica/article/view/313volcanologyvirtual realitydata visualisationtaupō volcanic zone
spellingShingle Kristian Hansen
Simon Barker
Finnigan Illsley-Kemp
Craig Anslow
Christof Mueller
Graham Leonard
VolcanoVR: A virtual reality environment for volcanic data visualisation and communication
Volcanica
volcanology
virtual reality
data visualisation
taupō volcanic zone
title VolcanoVR: A virtual reality environment for volcanic data visualisation and communication
title_full VolcanoVR: A virtual reality environment for volcanic data visualisation and communication
title_fullStr VolcanoVR: A virtual reality environment for volcanic data visualisation and communication
title_full_unstemmed VolcanoVR: A virtual reality environment for volcanic data visualisation and communication
title_short VolcanoVR: A virtual reality environment for volcanic data visualisation and communication
title_sort volcanovr a virtual reality environment for volcanic data visualisation and communication
topic volcanology
virtual reality
data visualisation
taupō volcanic zone
url https://www.jvolcanica.org/ojs/index.php/volcanica/article/view/313
work_keys_str_mv AT kristianhansen volcanovravirtualrealityenvironmentforvolcanicdatavisualisationandcommunication
AT simonbarker volcanovravirtualrealityenvironmentforvolcanicdatavisualisationandcommunication
AT finniganillsleykemp volcanovravirtualrealityenvironmentforvolcanicdatavisualisationandcommunication
AT craiganslow volcanovravirtualrealityenvironmentforvolcanicdatavisualisationandcommunication
AT christofmueller volcanovravirtualrealityenvironmentforvolcanicdatavisualisationandcommunication
AT grahamleonard volcanovravirtualrealityenvironmentforvolcanicdatavisualisationandcommunication