Subsurface ocean circulation and variability visualized in Eonfusion
This example uses data from a gravest empirical mode (GEM) projection of temperature and salinity fields in the Southern Ocean. When combined with satellite altimetry, time-evolving projection fields of temperature, salinity and velocity (satGEM) are produced. These are used to observe mean and synoptically varying properties of the Southern Ocean from 1992 to 2006. A subset of temperature data derived at weekly intervals from around Tasmania from 18 March 2006 to 16 September 2006 are used here in Eonfusion. The data are a 4D array of temperature values, x, y, z and t.
Two scenes are created and a 3D raster image is viewed simultaneously with time and temperature data in both scenes.
In the first scene, two depth 'slices' (z= 600 and z=2400) are visualized as two time series, with time attributed to the slider. The mean temperature of 26 weekly time intervals is calculated within Eonfusion and visualized at depth slice z=600. Variation in temperature at depth (z=2400) with time can be visualized by manipulating the slider.
Scene 1: x-slice
Scene 1: x- and y-slice
In the second scene, a single moment in time (time = 18 March 2006) is visualized as multiple depth slices with temperature attributed to the slider. There is also an x-slice (x = 166.5 LON, time = 18 March 2006) visualized vertically. By manipulating the slider, variation in temperature is visible across the multiple depth slices and in the x-slice. This enables the user to quickly scan the data to find regions of the same temperature at the same time. Iso-surfaces have also been created in this scene at a single moment in time. This was achieved by creating 3D vector surfaces (iso-surfaces) at four defined temperature intervals (1, 2.5, 5 and 10 degs C).
Scene 2: iso-surfaces
While other software packages might allow the user to create and view single snapshots of these data, Eonfusion can handle visualization of the whole of these data. Eonfusion enables the user to interact with these data by creating multiple time series, horizontal and vertical slices and attributing different parameters to the slider for fast visual analysis.
GEM projection data are kindly provided by Dr Andrew Meijers (CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research). This body of work represents Dr Meijers PhD research, observing Southern Ocean subsurface circulation and variability using satellite altimetry (Institute of Antarctic and Southern Ocean Studies, University of Tasmania CSIRO‐UTAS Joint PhD Program in Quantitative Marine Science.) Myriax also acknowledges Dr Nathan Bindoff, University of Tasmania.
