Web-Based Interactive Simulation of Landform Evolution

地质学(42)计算机模拟是了解各种物理和地质过程的复杂影响的理想工具，这些物理和地质过程相互作用，影响较长时期(数百年、数千年、数百万年)的地形演变。然而，模拟模型及其结果的可视化通常需要专业的软件，而本科教育很难使用这些软件。这个概念验证项目正在开发一个基于网络的交互式地貌模拟模型，可以通过标准的网络浏览器随时随地访问，以改善本科生对地貌演变的学习体验。这个基于Web的交互模型采用元胞自动机算法，并使用Java技术实现，该技术旨在运行在不同的计算机硬件和操作系统上。学生可以通过选择和操纵不同的参数(如降雨强度、地表径流程度、岩石可蚀性、构造运动等)与模型进行交互。通过图形用户界面，观察过程(参数)的不同组合如何影响地貌演变。该项目将最新技术整合到本科教育中，以提高教和学。由于其在基于网络的传播方面的全球潜力，它有能力接触到广泛和多样化的受众，包括科学、数学、工程和技术领域代表性不足的人群、非传统学生和学习障碍学生。此外，它还使研究人员能够在网上3D可视化这一新的、有前途的领域提炼自己的技能，这对他们自己的教学和研究是有利的。

Geology (42)Computer simulation is an ideal tool for understanding the complex effects of a variety of physical and geological processes that interact to influence landform evolution over extended periods of time (centuries, thousands of years, millions of years). Yet simulation models and the visualization of their results usually require specialized software that is not easily accessible to undergraduate education. This proof-of-conceptproject is developing a web-based interactive landform simulation model that can be accessed anytime and anywhere via a standard web browser to improve undergraduate students' learning experience of landform evolution. This web-based interactive model is employing a cellular automata algorithm and is implemented using Java technology, which is designed to run on different computer hardware and operating systems. Students are able to interact with the model by selecting and manipulating different parameters (such as precipitation intensity, degree of surface runoff, rock erodibility, tectonic movement, etc.) through a Graphical User Interface and observe how different combinations of processes (parameters) influence the landform evolution. This project integrates the latest technology into undergraduate education to improve both teaching and learning. Because of its global potential in web based dissemination, it has the ability to reach a wide and diverse audience, including underrepresented populations in Science, Mathematics, Engineering, and Technology, non-traditional students, and students with learning disabilities. In addition, it enables the investigators themselves to refine their own skills in the new and promising area of 3Dvisualization on the web, which is beneficial to their own teaching and research.