Bernardin, T, Cowgill, E, Gold, R D,  Hamann, B, Kreylos, O
and Schmitt, A, (2006)

Interactive Mapping on Virtual Terrain Models Using RIMS 
(Real-time, Interactive Mapping System), 
Eos Trans. AGU, 87(52), Fall Meet. Suppl., Abstract IN33A-1331

Recent and ongoing space missions are yielding new multispectral data for the
surfaces of Earth and other planets at unprecedented rates and spatial 
resolution. With their high spatial resolution and widespread coverage, these
data have opened new frontiers in observational Earth and planetary science. 
But they have also precipitated an acute need for new analytical techniques. 
To address this problem, we have developed RIMS, a Real-time, Interactive 
Mapping System that allows scientists to visualize, interact with, and map 
directly on, three-dimensional (3D) displays of georeferenced texture data, 
such as multispectral satellite imagery, that is draped over a surface 
representation derived from digital elevation data. The system uses a 
quadtree-based multiresolution method to render in real time high-resolution 
(3 to 10 m/pixel) data over large (800 km by 800 km) spatial areas. It allows
users to map inside this interactive environment by generating georeferenced 
and attributed vector-based elements that are draped over the topography. We 
explain the technique using 15 m ASTER stereo-data from Iraq, P.R. China, and 
other remote locations because our particular motivation is to develop a 
technique that permits the detailed (10 m to 1000 m) neotectonic mapping over
large (100 km to 1000 km long) active fault systems that is needed to better 
understand active continental deformation on Earth. RIMS also includes a 
virtual geologic compass that allows users to fit a plane to geologic surfaces 
and thereby measure their orientations. It also includes tools that allow 3D 
surface reconstruction of deformed and partially eroded surfaces such as 
folded bedding planes. These georeferenced map and measurement data can be 
exported to, or imported from, a standard GIS (geographic information systems) 
file format. Our interactive, 3D visualization and analysis system is designed 
for those who study planetary surfaces, including neotectonic geologists, 
geomorphologists, marine geophysicists, and planetary scientists. The strength 
of our system is that it combines interactive rendering with interactive 
mapping and measurement of features observed in topographic and texture data. 
Comparison with commercially available software indicates that our system 
improves mapping accuracy and efficiency. More importantly, it enables Earth 
scientists to rapidly achieve a deeper level of understanding of remotely 
sensed data, as observations can be made that are not possible with existing 
systems.