A 3D Visualisation Environment Modelling the Evolution of North-West Europe since the Last Glacial Maximum

Abstract

This work in progress aims to provide an interactive 3D visualisation allowing real time manipulation of glacial isostatic adjustment (GIA) model output data which reconstructs the ice distribution and coastline position in north-west Europe since the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). The Lambeck GIA model is the current state of the art for European ice sheet and shoreline modelling and the work presented applies scientific visualisation techniques to an area of earth and ocean science that to date has not benefited from such technologies. The end application aims to eventually provide a real-time interactive 3D virtual world for scientists to explore the reconstruction data through direct manipulation. A recent study uses the Lambeck data as a basis for shelf sea palaeotidal reconstructions with profound implications for the environment, ecology and carbon cycle as the climate of northwest Europe has developed since the LGM. As the latter has only been seen in digital image form to date, the work of this project innovates by providing further user interaction, data interpretation and extraction from the GIA and palaeotidal models.