Perspective on Geo-Visualization
地学可视化探讨

This paper explores the research status and future trends of geo\|referenced visualization, and aims to establish a research framework via the discussion of geo\|visualization, multi\|dimensional geo\|graphical interpretation and virtual geographical environment.In terms of geo\|visualization, three concepts including cartographic visualization, geographical visualization, and GIS\|visualization are scrutinized, and their relationship is established. Cartographic visualization emphasizes visual thinking, spatial cognition and analysis, and graphic information communication. GIS\|visualization focuses on data structure and model, realistic 3\|D graphics rendering, dynamic interaction, real\|time processing, etc. In this paper, cartographic visualization and geographical visualization are regarded as the same in nature.Multi\|dimensional geo\|graphical interpretation is proposed from non\|visualization, whose goal is to establish methodology and rules for graphics\|based unknowns\|seeking upon around a thousand past and present geo\|referenced maps/graphics/images. Only from one special case or a kind of map and supported by computer\|based visualization, geo\|visualization, especially cartographic visualization, facilitates users to explore data for revealing unknowns. But with the same goal of graphics\|based unknowns\|seeking, geo\|visualization and multi\|dimensional geo\|graphical interpretation should be integrated to further the study on visual thinking, spatial cognition, and graphics\|based data exploration, based upon both long human accumulated experiences and knowledge and the modern computer\|based visualization technology.Resulting from the integration of virtual reality technology, Internet and regional geographical systems, virtual geographical environment (VGE) will be taken as the advanced system which will eventually contain all theories and techniques associated with geo\|visualization and multi\|dimensional geo\|graphical interpretation and so on. VGE is very important for the development and practice of Geography, which permits users to go into geo\|referenced data, interact directly with geo\|referenced objects rather than 3\|D graphics of objects, and generate hypotheses or valid others' geo\|models. VGE is a virtual laboratory for geographers. But the establishment of VGE depends upon not only virtual reality technology, but as well as the development of geo\|visualization, multi\|dimensional geo\|graphical interpretation, acquisition and processing technique of geo\|referenced information, etc..