Visible Geology is a web-based tool designed to enhance visualiza-tion and understanding of geologic structures and processes through the use of 3D interactive block diagrams. The program allows users to conceptualize difficult, yet important, geologic principles by creating and interacting with geologic block models.

Using an HTML5 web-browser go to http://app.visiblegeology.com and start adding geologic beds and events!!

Focus on support for classroom ac-tivities, including automatic grading of assignments and organized model submissions.

Deployment to tablet and mobile devices with specific modelling activi-ties.

Integrate and support activities for courses at UBC and other universi-ties.

Traditional assignments in geologic mapping have students connect similar geologic units over a terrain to determine how that geologic bed or fold is orientated in 3D. The process is done entirely on paper with a set of memorized steps to determine the orientation.

These techniques are divorced from visualizing the underlying concepts, and as such, many students have difficulties with these assignments. Visible Geology does not replace these assignments but provides an interactive and immersive environment where students can grasp these concepts and ideas in 3D and then approach their mapping assignments with a conceptual model rather than rote-memorization.

Introduction

Future WorkActivitiesClass Use

Acknowledgments:Many individuals have helped with the development of this program including: Leslie Reid, Adam Pidlisecky, Rudi Meyer, Bernard Guest, Robin Cockett, Colin Rowell, Erin Ernst, Pieter Aukes, Kelsey Reinheimer, Brad Hansen, and many more.

Geologic Folds

Geologic Beds Tilting Event Geologic Folds Unconformity Igneous Dike Reverse Fault Folding Event

Motivation

Create Your Own Geology

http://app.visiblegeology.com

Interactive 3D Stereonet

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10mContour Interval: 5m Outcrop Patterns Strike and Dip Measurements

Visible Geology provides a 3D environment where students can create and interrogate their own geologic block models.InteractivityThe student is in control of all aspects of the program: from the topography to all of the geologic features.SimplicityKeep the focus on learning geology and away from learning the technology.IntegrationEasily extend paper based labs and learning assesments with an online modelling component.

3D 2D 45º

• Geologic Time• Contours • Topography• Apparent Dip• Bed Thickness• Rule of V’s

• Fold Classification• Fault Visualization• Polyphase Folding• Stereonet Visualization• Strike & Dip

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“As a student struggling to grasp 3D struc-tures, this is the greatest tool I have ever seen. I will owe most of my success in my structural geology and mapping courses to this, so thank you.” - R. Drysdale

“A great application I will most definitely use in my teaching.” - Dr. P. Rey (Univ. of Sydney)

“This is awesome! You have exceeded my ex-pectations. This tool has helped me under-stand stereonets.” - D. Lindsay

Ideas for premade activities and models are provided in a WikiMedia environment:

Explore Faulting

Rowan Cockett, 2012, Earth and Ocean Science, University of British Columbia rowan@visiblegeology.com

Visible Geology - Interactive online geologic block modelling

ED51A-0872