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Visualization of folding in marble outcrops, Connemara, western Ireland: An application of virtual outcrop technology

¹ Earth Sciences Department, Durham University, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK
² Department of Earth and Ocean Sciences, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland
³ Earth Sciences Department, Durham University, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK

Virtual outcrops have been generated from terrestrial laser scanner data captured at two marble outcrops in the Dalradian rocks of Connemara, western Ireland. Both locations are popular field study sites in the region, where complex fold structures are visible in the outcrops. The development of virtual outcrops for student instruction is discussed, both in communicating the theories of structural geology in the classroom, and in pre- and post-field study instruction. Supplementary VRML (Virtual Reality Modeling Language) models, Google Earth KML (Keyhole Markup Language) files, and movies are used to communicate the associated geological context for each locality. Virtual outcrops and associated three-dimensional (3D) geological visualizations have the potential to supplement traditional educational content and aid in the improvement of students' visual literacy.

Keywords: folds • virtual outcrop • laser scan • education • Ireland