From GeoMod
Earth Science Models for Research and Education
New: we now have automatic installers for Windows XP (and Vista) so you don't have to install VPython to run the models. We're still working on other OS's.
This page contains computer models and simulations used in Earth Science education and research. Most of these models were created by Dr. Lensyl Urbano and students at the University of Memphis. There are also few useful python classes for that can help with 2d numerical models, and user controls. All of the models are freely available for non-commercial use (see copyright info) in platform independent formats (except for the Excel models).
Types of models;
- VPython: Many of the models are programmed in Python and use the VPython module to allow 3d visualization. Python and VPython are free, open-source languages and can be easily downloaded and installed from their respective sites.
- MS Excel: Some of the models are written in Visual Basic for Microsoft Excel. Excel is a commercial program but is fairly commonly used.
- Miscellaneous - some of the ongoing research uses other (freeware) software not created at the University of Memphis, such as the USGS code SUTRA.
Why use VPython in Geoscience Education
Interactive Educational Models
These Vpython models cover an eclectic (arbitrary) range of topics that have been useful in introductory, undergraduate, Earth Science classes (specifically Geog 1010 - Weather and Climate).
Python Models
Created by Dr. Urbano for introductory Geography and Geology classes. They include a wide range of sophistication that I characterize based on the degree of interactivity and ability to independently capture student interest;
- trivial models such as the H and He atom models are dynamic 3d models but include no interactivity (other than basic zoom and pan).
- simple models, such as the water wave model which include some interactivity but are not particularly complex.
- sophisticated models like the atmospheric stability model and the solar system model that are interactive and allow for the demonstration of complex interactions. These are often too complicated for productive student interaction without some background.
- fully realized models like the coriolis model and the nebula model1 that are sophisticated and fully interactive but can easily be operated by students. These models also include elements that take advantage of VPython's 3d capabilities to capture student interest. The coriolis model for example, allows users to attempt to hit a target moving on a rotating disk and see the path of the projectile from the perspective of the projectile.
Irrespective of the degree of sophistication the models' VPython code is available for improvement.
Solar system suite
Atmosphere and Oceans
Atoms and Molecules
- 1 Adaptations of existing code to make the models more interactive. The original models came from the examples directory that came with VPython, but most (if not all) were originally created for the physics textbook Matter and Interactions (by Chabay, R. and Sherwood, B. 2002. John Wiley & Sons).
General Geography/Geology
‡Uses the Raster Class, which is designed to allow easier 2d distributed modeling.
Models in development
Suggested models
- Frost wedging - model to show ice freezing in a crack expanding. Highlight the force acting on the walls of the crack.
- Expansion and contraction of the crust due to the passage of a hot spot. This would be particularly useful coupled with an erosion model.
- 2D atmospheric circulation model.
- Formation of desert pavement.
- Landforms model
Useful Python Classes and Functions
These classes are used in the models in this page to incorporate 2d models and user controls.
Educational applications using these VPython models
This lists a few application attempted to include these models in the curriculum.
- Large lectures
- Laboratory exercises
- External Assignments
- Animations captured from these models have been contributed as video clips to be used in the MovieClassroom.
Proposed interactive lab exercises
- Coriolis using coriolis model
- Gravity, nebula collapse and orbital geometry using;
Excel models
Excel models are commonly used in science and engineering education because of their ease of programing and the input/output interface that Excel allows.
Groundwater models
Other models
This class will introduce graduate students to a variety of modeling techniques used in the Earth Sciences. Given the diverse interests of Earth Science students it will be a general introduction to a wide range of models applicable to physical processes and human/stochastic behavior. We will use the Python programming language with the VPython module, which allows immediate three-dimensional visualization of model results.
Research Models
Python models
Other modeling projects
Tsunami Flooding
Interactions between ground and surface water
- Looking at the effects of groundwater discharge on surface flow and geomorphology.
References
VPython
- Scherer et al., 2000 Scherer, D., Dubois, P., & Sherwood, B., 2000. VPython: 3D Interactive Scientific Graphics for Students, Computing in Science and Engineering, v. 2, n. 5, 2000, 82-88.
- Matter and Interactions (by Chabay, R. and Sherwood, B. 2002. John Wiley & Sons)
- A Physcis text from which some of these models were derived.
Installing VPython
These models require Python and VPython to be installed on your computer.
- Installation Instructions for your operating system.
- Once Python and VPython are installed you should save the python file to your computer. The files on this site can either be:
- copied and pasted from the code page (eg coriolis.py) into any text editor, and saved to your computer.
- or, downloaded via the link on the code page. (eg. coriolis_16.py)
- Once on your computer the files can be run by double clicking on them.
Other VPython Models
Geoscience Articles
Geoscience Abstracts
Notes
Copyright/Terms of use
This model/material was created/adapted by Lensyl Urbano in 2006 unless otherwise credited, and is licenced under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.5 License unless otherwise specified.
This means that you can use any material on the site if the following 3 conditions apply;
- The use is non-commercial,
- Attribution is given to the authors of the software/media itself,
- Any derived material keeps this same licence.
- In order to protect the interlectual property rights of creators and contributors, the copyright of all material published on this website belongs to its author (this includes images, video and audio clips, and even captions etc.)
- For materials added to the project from other sources, the original license applies.
- If material not compatible with these terms are identified within the project, please inform us promptly to have it removed.
Links
- Java applets for math, physics and engineering by Paul Falstad.
- These are some educational java applets I wrote to help visualize various concepts in math, physics, and engineering. You should be able to view them with any Java-capable browser. - Paul Falstad
VPython links
Please see documentation on customizing the interface
and the User's Guide for usage and configuration help.
