3D-Visualisierung eines kanadischen Fjords über und unter Wasser in einer immersiven Virtual Reality Applikation

This paper describes the development of a Virtual Reality (VR) application to visualise the fjord Clyde Inlet on Baffin Island, Canada. For this purpose, a methodology was developed to combine terrestrial and bathymetric data sets (terrain models) to represent the fjord as an entire area in its 160 km × 80 km dimensions. The immersive VR application offers the possibility to explore the terrain with or without water surface by three different modes of locomotion. In addition, various distance measurements can be carried out in the terrain model and the terrain textures can be changed to better illustrate the terrain representation. Due to the rapid technological development Virtual Reality has established itself as a new method for immersive 3D visualisation in many applications in science, industry and economy. For this project example, the potential of VR was analysed in a survey of test persons from four different professional groups and possible applications for this VR application are suggested.