pesd2025191001

	PRESENT ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT Volume 20, Issue no.1/ 2026

	Title: Visualizing the invisible: The use of a new interactive sandbox for teaching evolutionary geological processes
	Authors : Alberto Marini 1 1 University of Cagliari, Italia E-mail : * Corresponding author: almarini@gmail.com
	https://doi.org/10.47743/pesd2026201010
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	Abstract The Second-Generation Augmented Reality system presented here transforms the haptic sandbox from a simple topographic surface into the surface of a completely explorable and real-time moldable geological volume. The core of the innovation lies in the immediate digital management of the three-dimensional geology through a remote tablet software interface structured around a dedicated Geology Menu. Through this control panel, the user acts directly on the mathematical variables of the subsurface without restricting the ability to shape the kinetic sand: the Stratigraphy module defines the number, thickness, rock textures, and color codes of the layers; the Tilt module inclines and orients the attitude of the series in space; the Fold and Fault modules respectively manage ductile tectonics (amplitude and height of the folds) and brittle tectonics (variably orientable normal, reverse, or strike-slip kinematics of the fault plane). A high-resolution depth sensor constantly detects the surface point cloud, while a 60 fps calculation engine instantaneously intersects the Digital Elevation Model (DEM) with the parameters configured on the tablet. The resulting projection displays the exact geometric intersection between the virtual geology and the real morphology of the sand; this interaction drastically accelerates the development of spatial thinking, translating complex concepts such as the "Rule of Vs" and apparent displacements along fault planes into immediate, haptic evidence, thereby rigorously integrating the analogue experience with numerical modeling.

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