Meeting Documents

Advancing the Visualization of Volumetric Ocean Processes for Domes, Spheres, and Flat Screens

Abstract

The internet is awash in gorgeous data visualizations of ocean processes developed from large scale models, satellite data, and decades of in situ observations. These are increasingly displayed/presented at informal learning environments through massive, interconnected flat screens, such as the NASA Hyperwall, as well as curved surfaces such as planetarium domes and spherical displays, such as NOAA's Science on a Sphere. However, volumetric ocean processes are inherently challenging to visualize, on these two-dimensional interfaces as they require the audience to dive into the third dimension in their minds eye.

To explore novel ways to encode volumetric processes using high-fidelity, visualization-based products, we created an interdisciplinary project team of experts in data visualization, oceanography, educational media, accessibility, and design. Specifically, the team focused on exploring processes related to meridional overturning circulation. The simulated ocean flows in the “Perpetual Ocean 2” visualization created by NASA SVS in February 2025 provided the basis for this exploration. This visualization design project utilizes ECCO2 model outputs and displays currents, temperature, and salinity through the water column.

In this presentation, we will discuss our co-production process and what we have learned as we combined our skill sets to experiment with ways to dynamically represent water movement, temperature, and salinity from the surface to the deep ocean and back again.