GeoVReality: A computational interactive virtual reality visualization framework and workflow for geophysical research

Abstract We present a new interactive computational virtual reality (VR) visualization framework for geophysical big data and models for the development of immersive collaborative virtual reality applications with a focus on targeted processing and interaction of big data. The framework includes a high-performance scalable persistent storage solution for the spatial analysis of Geospatial Information System (GIS), which uses an engine based on efficient in-memory computing. To more effectively visualize and interact in a VR environment, a machine learning algorithm library is used for compressing and extracting visual data. The framework supports mainstream rendering engines and VR hardware. The framework is extensible, customizable, cross-platform, and it is based only on tools with source code. A workflow was introduced, and the geophysical data visualization and interaction effects were demonstrated by taking the abyss data of the Mariana Trench as example.