Developing polar data-cylinders to map spatiotemporal changes in Arctic sea ice

Abstract

Complex ecosystems characterize the Arctic Region, which experiences rapid environmental changes due to climate change. These changes are happening spatially as much as temporally. Spatiotemporal interactive three-dimensional visualization of environmental phenomena is eye-catching, while creating the foundations for the rapid understanding of Arctic complexity. The Arctic is a circumpolar region; cylinders seem suitable visual media for related data. In this case study, the visualization of anomalies of the sea ice illustrates abnormal changes, helping the viewer/user to focus on that filtered information rather than becoming lost in a multitude of information. A holistic view of dynamic environmental changes in a stand-alone visual could impact the quick understanding, response and policymaking regarding the visualized phenomena.

Keywords

• Arctic
• sea ice
• web cartography
• time geography
• data cylinders