Virtual Reconstruction and Visualization: Serving Geoheritage, Geotourism and Resilience to Geohazards

Dear Colleagues,

Geological surveys have always been highly dependent on accessibility to the areas of interest. For instance, until recently, submarine geosites could only be accessed through conventional ways, such as diving or snorkeling, or costly oceanographic surveys. However, visualization and understanding of geological processes (seismotectonic and/or volcanic processes) in time and space may not only attract touristic interest but also contribute to the mitigation of geohazards. Dynamically advancing fields of informatics, such as virtual/augmented reality (VR/AR) coupled with remotely sensed surveys by unmanned vehicles, are innovative approaches that strongly enhance spatial 3D perception and allow us to map areas of difficult/impossible access at extremely high detail through dynamic models that account for spatial and temporal components. This combined methodology is currently emerging. Several improvements and tests are possible, and very little is known about the immersive perception of time. Thus, this Special Issue is focused on the current technological developments in VR and AR with photogrammetry and oceanography to highlight the terrestrial and underwater wealth, developing a novel interdisciplinary approach for cultural geoheritage and geohazards.

This volume covers, without being limited to, the following subjects:

1. Detailed and visually accurate mapping of the underwater and terrestrial relief based on significant, multitemporal, validated information and data, collected using state-of-the-art technologies (multibeam, ROV, UAV surveys, etc.) to recognize complex geological structures (fault ruptures, ground fracture opening, volcanic tremors, seismic wave propagation, volcanic edifice growth, dyke intrusion, and massive—potentially tsunamigenic—slope failures) and potential geo-hazards.
2. Advanced image processing algorithms that ameliorate the visual appearance of the photo-textured 3D models of the surface and refine the understanding of geological features and processes.
3. Designed and developed tools for multimedia content management in 3D software used for the creation of 3D environments and applications for mobile, desktop, and the web, providing narrative scenarios and producing interactive experiences for VR and AR environments without the need for specialized programming knowledge. VR/AR technologies facilitate integrated and immersive visualizations and multisensory rendering, providing new insights into geological modeling.
4. Development of technologically advanced applications for educational and entertaining cultural products. Thus, the understanding and identification of geological elements by a significantly wider audience may contribute to a sustainable management strategy including a community's alertness and adaptability to changes from multiple geohazards.

This Special Issue is under the framework of VIRTUALDiver (NSRF 2014-2020) (www.virtualdiver.gr) and EU Research and Innovation Action, NEANIAS (https://www.neanias.eu).

Prof. Paraskevi Nomikou
Prof. Karantzalos Konstantinos
Prof. Kalliopi Baika
Dr. Hans-Balder Havenith
Prof. Lazaros Grammatikopoulos
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Applied Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.