3D visualization of circulation and water properties at the endeavour segment of the Juan de Fuca mid-ocean ridge

The complex bathymetry and buoyancy fluxes associated with active spreading centres have a strong influence on the circulation and water properties in the region. The mixing of hot fluid (~ 350 °C) emitted from hydrothermal vents with the surrounding sea water (~ 2 °C) exerts control over circulation and transport of larvae, nutrients, microbes and organic matter between venting sites along the length of the ridge and rift valley [1]. This paper describes several experiments in 3D visualization of current data obtained from 267 m tall moorings located at a mid-ocean ridge, and assesses the relative utility of these visualizations as tools for understanding regional circulation. We provide an evaluation of several existing oceanographic visualization packages in terms of their ability to support dynamic visualization of vector data.