![]() Where data sets described by geometries (points, lines, or polygons) fall within deformation regions, the deformation can be applied to these geometries. Users can explore how strain rates, stretching/shortening factors, and crustal thickness evolve through space and time and interactively update the kinematics associated with deformation. GPlates enables the construction of plate deformation zones-regions combining extension, compression, and shearing that accommodate the relative motion between rigid blocks. To achieve this, a hierarchical cube map framework is used for rendering reconstructed surface raster data to support the rendering of subsurface 3-D scalar fields using graphics-hardware-accelerated ray-tracing techniques. ![]() ![]() The ability of GPlates to visualize subsurface 3-D scalar fields together with traditional geological surface data enables researchers to analyze their relationships through geological time in a common plate tectonic reference frame. GPlates allows the building of topological plate models representing the mosaic of evolving plate boundary networks through time, useful for computing plate velocity fields as surface boundary conditions for mantle convection models and for investigating physical and chemical exchanges of material between the surface and the deep Earth along tectonic plate boundaries. GPlates is an open-source, cross-platform plate tectonic geographic information system, enabling the interactive manipulation of plate-tectonic reconstructions and the visualization of geodata through geological time. The globes put the on-the-fly visualization of massive data sets at the fingertips of end-users to stimulate teaching and learning and novel avenues of inquiry. These space-time globes include tectonic reconstructions of the Earth's gravity and magnetic fields, and several models of long-wavelength surface dynamic topography through time, including the interactive plotting of vertical motion histories at selected locations. The portal is specifically designed to visualize models of the Earth through geological time. ![]() The portal also features globes portraying seafloor geology and a global data set of marine magnetic anomaly identifications. The globes include a visualization of a high-resolution global digital elevation model and the vertical gradient of the global gravity field, highlighting small-scale seafloor fabric such as abyssal hills, fracture zones and seamounts in unprecedented detail. The globes use WebGL for hardware-accelerated graphics and are cross-platform and cross-browser compatible with complete camera control. The portal allows fast interactive visualization of global geophysical and geological data sets, draped over digital terrain models. The GPlates Portal () is a gateway to a series of virtual globes based on the Cesium Javascript library. Here, we describe our efforts to bring to life our studies of the Earth system, both at present day and through deep geological time. These innovations open up new avenues for how scientists communicate and share data and ideas with each other and with the general public. The pace of scientific discovery is being transformed by the availability of 'big data' and open access, open source software tools.
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