An immersive virtual approach to enhance visibility of global stratotype and reference sections of the Paleogene

Access to geological reference sections can have limitations related to geo-political reasons, travel restrictions during global pandemics, weather conditions or time and funding for travelling, among other limiting factors. In addition, the quality of outcrops and their access often deteriorate due to weathering or vegetation cover, making it difficult and even impossible to use them in scientific research and public outreach. The rapid development of three-dimensional digital models has changed this scenario, deeply contributing to innovative information technologies and scientific research in geoscience.

In order to enhance and give visibility to Paleogene global reference sections such as the Global Stratotype section and point (GSSP) that officially marks the base of standard geological units (stages and ages), as well as globally significant geo-heritage sites, the International Subcommission on Paleogene Stratigraphy (ISPS) has focused on the acquisition and digitization of geological outcrops. The results are publicly available on the ISPS website https://www.paleogene.org/, and will be populated with additional information in the future.

Data acquisition used photogrammetry and Lidar modeling techniques with mobile phones. The models were enhanced to create an immersive virtual experience of the geosites. The utilization of ATON, an open-source framework developed by the Institute of Heritage Science of the Italian National Research Council (CNR ISPC), allows the exploration of large, massive 3D datasets using HMDs (i.e. Oculus Quest) directly through a web browser. Such a modular framework offers advanced functionalities like visual immersive analytics and integration with complex multimedia content. Users virtually immerse in the outcrop enabling real-time querying of all geometries, annotations and measurement functionalities (e.g. examining 3D fossils and other material or associated information).

This digital approach offers a unique opportunity for saving temporary outcrops, geological features or fossils in virtual environments, and it will contribute to facilitate examination of the most relevant outcrops of the Paleogene by scientists, and to promote and disseminate geo-education.