Seismic-XR: Simulating and Visualizing Seismic Ground Motions in Mixed Reality

Abstract Seismic wavefield visualization plays a crucial role in both seismology education and regional seismic studies. Realistic visualization enables users to intuitively observe how seismic waves propagate through different landscapes, making it easier to understand the ground-motion dynamics. With this motivation, we developed Seismic-XR. Seismic-XR is a mixed-reality (XR) educational tool designed to visualize seismic ground motions, providing an interactive platform for exploring seismic-wave propagation and its interactions with diverse topographies. We present a case study using Seismic-XR on an earthquake in Uttarakhand, a seismically active region of the Himalayas characterized by complex geological structures. This study discusses how computational modeling, geospatial data sets, and XR technologies together can transform seismic data sets into accessible and engaging visual experiences. Seismic-XR has the potential to enhance user engagement and provide an intuitive exploration of seismic waves. However, the extent to which XR-driven visualization leads to measurable improvements in conceptual understanding is still an open question. This article presents the methodology, visualization workflow, and results of Seismic-XR while discussing its broader applications.