Exploring Earth's Volcanic Environments: Development of Virtual Reality Education Modules

地质学（42）一个新的基于网络的虚拟实地考察（VFT）处理火山环境正在开发中，利用调查为基础的练习，让学生观察喷发活动，进行实地观察，并制定有关火山过程的假设。 该模块使用喷发活动的视频片段和虚拟现实全景图像，使学生能够在类似于真实的地质实地考察的沉浸式环境中探索火山地形。VFT活动集中在公元79年意大利的维苏威火山爆发。由于古罗马城市庞贝和赫库兰尼姆的埋葬，这次火山爆发为学生提供了一个独特的机会，了解火山爆发的巨大力量及其对人类的影响。学生们可以观察到让人想起公元79年事件的喷发镜头，观察喷发的影响，然后参观庞贝和赫库兰尼姆的挖掘城市，以建立关于每个城市如何被喷发掩埋的假设。 该项目的智力价值在于将PI团队在NSF支持的火山学研究方面的丰富经验所开发的科学内容带入课堂，供无法获得此类实地经验的学生使用。 除了教育方面的好处，这项工作的更广泛的影响在于其发展计划，这将发生在协调与学生技术援助计划在罗得岛大学。本科生和研究生都将参与概念设计，实施，并逐步实地测试这个VFT。

Geology (42) A new Web-based virtual fieldtrip (VFT) dealing with volcanic environments is being developed that utilizes inquiry-based exercises to allow students to observe eruptive activity, make field observations, and formulate hypotheses about volcanic processes. The module uses video segments of eruptive activity and virtual reality panoramic images that enable students to explore volcanic terrains in an immersion environment similar to a real geological fieldtrip. The VFT activities are centered on the 79 A.D. eruption of Vesuvius in Italy. As a result of the burial of the ancient Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, this eruption provides a unique opportunity for students to understand the great power of volcanic eruptions and their impact on human populations. Students can observe eruption footage that is reminiscent of the 79 A.D. event, make observations about eruption impacts, and then visit the excavated cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum to build hypotheses about how each were buried by the eruption. The intellectual merit of this project lies in bringing scientific content developed through the PI team's extensive experience in NSF-supported volcanological research into the classroom for students who do not have access to such field-based experiences. Beyond the educational benefits, the broader impacts of this work lie in its development plan, which will occur in coordination with the Student Technology Assistance program at the University of Rhode Island. Both undergraduate and graduate students will be involved in conceptual design, implementation, and progressive field-testing of this VFT.