Broken Hill Proprietary Company Limited (BHP) is interested in a demonstration of the potential for remote collaborative interaction of geophysicists in interpreting and simultaneously communicating about seismic data. This data is used to explore sub-oceanic stratigraphy, including the representation of faults, rock strata, and ultimately, the potential location of mineral deposits.

Using a sample data set, Bruce and Nick have been brainstorming approaches that would allow two or more geologists to discuss alternative interpretations of the same visual information in a shared virtual environment. By its very nature, this tool will give users the ability to indicate to other users a variety of objects, meaning and detail. The task at hand raises some interesting conceptual, design and implementational questions.