ANN ARBOR—University of Michigan geologist Peter van Keken is using earthquakes to help shake up the technology industry.

Van Keken, along with University of Chicago research scientist Jason Leigh, has developed intricate graphic simulations of earthquakes and other geological data that are now available to Latin American scientists via the Internet. Earlier this month, South American researchers logged onto this information for the first time at a meeting in Chile.

The U-M Media Union, at which van Keken has worked in developing his simulations, was the Ann Arbor site of the Internet meeting.

As part of the three-day seminar, “Science, Culture and Education over Internet2,” University of Illinois researchers demonstrated their Electronic Visualization Laboratory or EVL. This virtual reality device is able to manipulate extremely large datasets and advanced graphic simulations over a high-speed network. This is a major breakthrough for scientists around the world who will now be able to immediately share information and findings.

Latin American researchers tested out the EVL using van Keken and Leigh’s 3-D visualizations. Colleagues in Chicago manipulated and discussed the earthquake graphics while the group in Chile watched the images in real time.

Scientists who attended the meeting say this new technology is a useful tool for research and education. The ability to share complex scientific information in real time, over great distances and in many geographical areas will give them a greater understanding of events as they happen.

CNN‘s “Science and Technology” is scheduled to report on this new technology at 1:30 p.m. EDT on April 21.

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Peter van KekenMedia UnionElectronic Visualization LaboratoryCNN