A Survey of Visualization Techniques and Tools for Environmental Data

Abstract

In modern time, visualizing a collection of discrete values and data is frequently required in scientific investigation. Predicting the potential fluctuation of a parameter such as heat flux, stress, or weather patterns is difficult in the case of environmental data. Numerous new visualization techniques and technologies for analyzing large datasets are common in the field of software visualization. However, selecting the right tool to meet requirements of the users for visualizing large datasets remains difficult. This paper offers the results of a survey conducted on the techniques and tools currently used for environmental data visualization by past researchers and authors. It provides an overview of several popular visualization tools and a brief assessment of their capabilities to support research involving large datasets of environmental data. A classification system of visualization techniques is also tried to present, determined by the number of different factors that can be visualized. Emerging innovations in the development of related user interfaces, as well as a variety of new visualization tools and their appropriateness, are also addressed. Ultimately, several future research directions in data visualization are proposed.