Creation and evaluation of the arctic data visualization environment: an XR system for geospatial data exploration in Cesium

Abstract Arctic regions are undergoing rapid environmental change, with thawing permafrost threatening infrastructure and complicating operations in extreme cold environments. Understanding these complex landscapes requires new approaches to geospatial data interaction that go beyond traditional 2D tools. The Arctic Data Visualization Environment (ADVE) is an immersive extended reality platform designed to support intuitive exploration of Arctic Digital Twins. Built on Cesium virtual globe technology and Unreal Engine 5.2, ADVE integrates motion tracking, eye-tracking headsets, and a VR treadmill to enable immersive interaction with real-world geospatial datasets. This paper presents the architecture of ADVE and its evaluation through a pilot user study. Participants explored virtual twins of two locations in Nome, Alaska and provided feedback via both closed- and open-ended questions, which were analyzed to guide iterative system improvements. Findings indicate generally positive usability and presence outcomes, while also revealing constraints related to physiological realism. This work lays the foundation for future studies examining the potential of XR-based geospatial data exploration in educational and training contexts.