Realidade aumentada aplicada à geoconservação: estudo de caso no Geopark Araripe

Abstract

Currently, new technologies are present in several professional areas due to their vast applications such as representing data, information, environments and many other functions. In geosciences, these technologies are applied through the use of drones, artificial intelligence, three -dimensional models, augmented and virtual realities, and other methods that provide practical access to the data to be portrayed. This work was prepared with the aim of disseminating knowledge about GeoPark Araripe and its geosites, using some of these new technologies, such as the Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) and augmented reality, seeking to present the physical environment in a virtual environment through images 360° panoramas. The GeoPark Araripe, located in the south of the state of Ceará, is located in the Araripe Sedimentary Basin, and has unique geological, paleontological and cultural records throughout the planet, therefore, it has recognition from the UNESCO World Geoparks Program, aiming to protect and conservation of these elements in the Cariri region of Ceará. The online platform for the application of augmented reality in 360° panoramic scenes was developed in JavaScript programming language, developed and adapted from the Forge,js virtual tour library. Five of the nine GeoPark Araripe geosites were visited to acquire the images through a Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA). The 360° panoramic scenes were assembled and processed, from the images obtained in the field, in image editing software such as Image Composite Editor and Photoshop 2021. With the RPA, images orthogonal to the geosites were also obtained to create orthomosaics and three- dimensional models in the Agisoft Metashape Professional software. After this step, the images were added to the online virtual tour platform for the application of augmented reality in the scenes in which satisfactory results were obtained. Orthomosaics were added to the web page as the initial image to perform the virtual tour of each geosite. The three-dimensional models were not possible to be added to the platform because it was not designed to present this type of data. Therefore, although satisfactory results have not been obtained in all the geosites where the surveys were carried out, in those where the work was completed it is possible to recognize the importance of the use of geotechnologies for the present day, as they contribute to the propagation of knowledge in a reliable way and accessible.