Environmental Visualization Laboratory

The Environmental Visualization Laboratory (EVL) is a facility dedicated to helping environmental and earth scientists understand the information contained in their data through the use of the most advanced technologies of computer visualization and modeling. The data routinely collected by these scientists is complex (multiple dimensionality), diverse (climate, paleoclimate, weather forecasting, air quality, hydrological cycle, runoff, biogeochemistry), large (hundreds of gigabytes), and usually comes in complicated formats. EVL is designed to facilitate the comprehension of such data through visualization processes that use both commercial and in-house developed software. Visualization at EVL also involves the graphic study of mathematical systems that can be used as models of natural phenomena.

The main thrust behind EVL is to help facilitate a cross-fertilization of ideas. Visualization is the use of graphic language, one all scientists are proficient in, and with which they can best understand each other and bridge gaps across disciplines through the use of maps, graphs, animations, and three-dimensional displays. Even those who do not share the same sub-field can understand the others' figures, maps, and graphs enough to fruitfully participate in the discovery process. Besides the computerized visual aids, the users of EVL have access to an interactive electronic board to collectively discuss, brainstorm and eventually preserve in computer memory the ideas that have spontaneously emerged during the discussions.

EVL Equipment

Computers and peripherals:

• 1 MacPro with two 3 GHz Quad-core (8-core processors), 3TB hard disk, 8GB memory. Two 30" cinema displays.
• 4 MacPro with two 3 GHz Dual-core (4-core processors), 1 TB hard disk, 4GB memory. Two 30" cinema displays each.
• 1 iMac 24" wide screen 2.4 GHz. Intel core 2 duo, 1TB hard disk, 2GB memory.
• 1 MacBook 15" Laptop 2.2 GHz Intel core duo, 120 GB hard disk, 2GB memory.
• 1 HP ColorLaser Jet 5550dn

Collective use/conference:

• 1 77" SmartBoard electronic interactive whiteboard.

Total storage available: 8.12 TB
Total computing memory: 28 GB
Total number of processors (MacPro): 24-core processors

This equipment is available to the Institute for the Environment (IE) and IE-associated faculty and graduate students. A short proposal indicating the reason for the use of the facility is the only requirement, though inclusion of estimated maintenance costs in the user's external grant proposals is highly desirable and greatly appreciated.