Virtual reality (VR) is a powerful and accessible tool for teaching geoscience, especially when real-world field trips are difficult due to cost, logistics, or safety concerns. In this project, we created a virtual field trip (VFT) to Inishmaan, Ireland, during Storm Fergus (December 2023) to help students explore how large storm waves can move coastal boulders.

The VFT is built from drone surveys that created a 3D, walkable site map. 3D boulders were placed on this terrain in their pre-storm locations. Students can choose from different environmental settings (i.e., high or low tide and stormy or calm weather) and see how storm waves interact with the tide to sometimes move boulders. Boulder movement is animated using real data from sensors placed inside boulders during the storm and informed by abrasion marks left on the bedrock. A computational fluid dynamics model is used for the onshore storm wave.

Students wearing headsets can explore the site, report out field notes, and collect GPS points. The module also includes an online ThingLink component, which uses interactive 360° photos. Pilot testing with undergraduate students showed that the VR experience improved understanding and engagement. This approach helps make field-based geoscience more accessible to all learners.