Virtual, and augmented, and mixed reality (VR/AR/MR), along with immersive visualization environments, and related interactive techniques are rapidly transforming the way we communicate, teach, explore, and conduct geoscientific research. These technologies allow learners, stakeholders, and researchers to experience complex processes and datasets in new and engaging ways, from exploring outcrops and landscapes virtually to interacting with model simulations in three dimensions. Their potential spans education and outreach, where they enhance accessibility and engagement for diverse audiences, as well as scientific research itself, where immersive environments can provide novel perspectives on data analysis, hypothesis testing, and collaborative work.
This session invites contributions showcasing innovative uses of virtual reality, augmented reality, mixed reality, and other immersive techniques across the geosciences. We particularly welcome examples from education, outreach, citizen science, and communication, as well as case studies and technical developments that demonstrate the added value of immersive approaches for scientific discovery. We also encourage critical perspectives addressing challenges such as accessibility, reproducibility, sustainability, and pedagogy. The session aims to foster exchange between developers and users, between research and education, and across disciplinary boundaries to highlight best practices and future opportunities for immersive technologies in geoscience.