T213 Advances in Virtual Paleontology: Applications, Digitization, and Dissemination

Wednesday, 13 October 2021
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
E141/E142 (Hybrid Room)

A VIRTUAL WORLD OF PALAEONTOLOGY

Paper number: T213-2
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 8:05 AM – 8:20 AM

Authors

Abstract

Over the last two decades, palaeontology has been transformed by the development and increasing accessibility of techniques for creating and analysing 3-D computer models of past lifeforms. Tomographic and surface-based methods allow palaeontologists to rapidly image the three-dimensional morphology of fossils at micrometre-scale resolutions without causing any damage to the specimen itself. Furthermore, computer models and simulations enable us to rigorously test long-standing hypotheses regarding the function and ecology of extinct organisms. These 3-D digital datasets are routinely made available through online repositories, opening up new opportunities for large-scale comparative analyses. In this talk, I will provide a broad overview of the field of virtual palaeontology, focusing on recent developments and future prospects. I will also discuss the key challenges that must be overcome to fully realize the potential of this virtual world of palaeontology.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 53, No. 6

doi: 10.1130/abs/2021AM-367649

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