# 3D-Printed Earthquake Visualizations This 3D Earthquake Depiction Was Printed on a Set of Tiles By Rahul Kalvapalle | Published 2014-09-11 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/earthquake-visualization References: [thecreatorsproject.vice](http://thecreatorsproject.vice.com/en_au/blog/3d-printed-earthquake-data-visualizes-the-impact-of-natural-disasters) & [dougmccune](http://dougmccune.com/blog/) When you hear people talk about inspiration hitting them, you usually picture someone being inspired while listening to a song or hearing somebody talk or watching someone do something phenomenal -- but for Doug McCune, inspiration literally hit hard in the form of an earthquake, leading him to create a unique [3D-printed earthquake visualization](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/quakesense). Following a large earthquake in the San Francisco Bay Area neighborhood, McCune downloaded tremor data from the US Geological Survey, and decided to combine his knowledge of data visualization and [3D printing](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/econitwood). Ustom custom-built software capable of converting two-dimensional data into a 3D model, McCune converted the earthquake's two-dimensional color-based visual representation into a 3D earthquake visualization using height -- instead of color -- to communicate intensity. The visualization was then printed onto a set of tiles arranged to represent the Bay Area. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.8/10 - Popularity: 17% | Activity: 59% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Science](https://www.trendhunter.com/science) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Data Visualization:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop new software tools that can convert complex data into immersive 3D visualizations. - **3D Printing:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Create customizable 3D-printed objects that provide tactile representations of data or events. - **Geospatial Analysis:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Combine geospatial data with advanced visualization techniques to create interactive tools for understanding natural disasters. ### Where This Applies - **Data Analytics:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop algorithms and software platforms that can analyze and interpret complex datasets for visual representation. - **3D Printing:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Expand the applications of 3D printing technology to fields such as architecture, engineering, and scientific research. - **Environmental Science:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Use advanced geospatial analysis techniques to study and mitigate the impact of natural disasters on the environment. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [3D-Printed Ceramic Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/terramound.md) - [Limited 3D-Printed Ceramic Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dyadic-series.md) - [Organically Printed Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lib-earth-house.md) - [3D-Printed Tiled Ceramic Archways](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/delft-blue.md) - [Unique 3D Printing Concepts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/3d-printed-church.md) - [Stunning 3D-Printed Sunglasses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/3dprinted-sunglasses1.md) - [3D-Printed Ceramic Home Facades](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ceramic-house.md) - [Multi-Storey 3D-Printed Houses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/qr3d.md) - [3D-Printed Terracotta Cooler Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/biomimcry-3dprinted-terracotta-cooler.md)