https://ec.europa.eu/jrc Contact Case Studies on Big Data Visualisation Case Study: 3D Globes We tested the implementation of a 3D virtual web-based globe using Cesium and WebGL, and compared it to a desktop based solution. The latter could realise more sophisticated functions, such as the use a flight path to automatically generate and download a high resolution movie, or edit 3D vector coordinates directly inside the 3D environment. The screen captures below indicate the diverse capabilities for two distinct terrains. Case Study: INSPIRE Metadata The INSPIRE Directive supports policies with likely impact on the environment requires the EU Member States to publish the relevant spatial data. All such data and services must be accompanied by metadata. Their pure amount challenges discoverability. The human brain excels in quick analysis of images and links. With more than 300.000 metadata records of largely unstructured data, a web of relationships emerges when visualised appropriately (example below). Big Data at the Joint Research Center (JRC) In summer 2014, JRC Directors’ Task Force on Big Data concluded that there is no single solution fitting all Big Data related challenges of the center. Similarly, there is no single methodology or tool to address all use cases that are related to Big Data visualisation – being it for advanced analytical or pure communication purposes. We began to investigate a part of the Big Data landscape, with a special focus on case studies of data visualization in the environmental and earth sciences. This poster presents some of the highlights and illustrates the diversity. Case Study: Modelling Inventory Database In our digital age, model transparency, i.e. the access to models, platforms, frameworks and systems, together with their descriptions, related input and output data, impact assessments as well as related documentation of any kind, is one of the holy grails across all sciences. We examined new visualization techniques to highlight the relations between these components, resulting in a rich set of tools, including the use of chord graphs to indicate model dependencies. The example on the right illustrates input requirements and usage potential of the hydrological rainfall-runoff-routing model LISFLOOD. Next Steps We will continue to exploit the use of Big Data for spatio- temporal data visualisation, especially in support of (i) multi-disciplinary research and integrated modelling, (ii) model transparency, i.e repeatability of experiments and reproducibility of scientific evidence, and (iii) science communication and the engagement of citizen in science. Case Study lead: Davide De Marchi Case Study lead: Nicole Ostländer Case Study lead: Jiří Hradec with contributions from: Davide De Marchi, Nicole Ostländer, Frank Ostermann, Elena Roglia, Lorenzino Vaccari, Jiří Hradec and Sven Schade Sven Schade European Commission • Joint Research Centre Digital Earth and Reference Data Unit Email: [email protected] Tel. +39 0332 78 5723