This project continues to refine and develop methods for effective geological visualisation and explores how these methods can be applied for research, education at professional, postgraduate and undergraduate levels, and for public outreach.

A main focus of new work in 2019 was on the development of a virtual tour of the Savage River mining operations in western Tasmania in conjunction with Grange Resources. This project is part of a collaboration with Dr Tom Raimondo at the University of South Australia supported by a grant from the AusIMM Education Endowment Fund.

The Savage River tour uses a range of immersive media including 360-degree imagery, 360-degree video, 3D photo-realistic models, conventional video, and high-resolution imagery. The tour has been initially designed as a tool for tertiary and professional education but will be later modified for outreach purposes. It documents the entire Savage River operation from exploration and mining geology to mining operations, metallurgy and environmental management. Grange Resources have kindly provided access to their entire site and many Grange employees have participated in video interviews to accompany the virtual material. This tour will be published online in 2020.

This project builds on the outcomes of the AusGeol Virtual Library of Australia’s Geology project that was externally funded until 2017.

A main focus of new work in 2018 was on development of software for analysis of geological features in immersive virtual reality using HTC Vive headsets. The new freeware application, GeoVisVR, facilitates structural analysis and annotation of 3D photo-realistic geological models within a full VR environment. It allows the user to easily move within the virtual environment and make measurements using the VR hand controllers.

The potential applications of markerbase augmented reality have also been explored through generation of some trial applications to display 3D objects and associated audio commentary using smart phones and tablets.

The focus of virtual data collection in 2018 moved from field-base localities to digitisation of specimens. Much of the UTAS first-year teaching collection has now been digitised as 3D photorealistic virtual models. Significant progress has also been made with digitisation of museum-quality economic geology specimens from UTAS and staff collections with the aim of producing mining and exploration-related virtual teaching materials.