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Show HN: Plot modern addresses on Earth 240M years ago

dinosaurpictures.org

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Re: Show HN: Plot modern addresses on Earth 240M years ago

#2

Post by typpo »

Hi HN, I built this by adapting GPlates (https://www.gplates.org), an academic project providing desktop software for geologists to investigate plate tectonic data. I'm amazed that geologists collected enough data to actually plot my home 750M years ago, so I thought you all would enjoy it too.

Even though plate tectonic models return precise results, you should consider the plots approximate (obviously we will never be able to prove correctness). In my tests I found that model results can vary significantly. I chose this particular model because it is widely cited and covers the greatest length of time.

The visualization itself is open source, though I have not yet cleaned up and pushed the plate tectonics integration (working on that right now): https://github.com/typpo/ancient-earth

Re: Show HN: Plot modern addresses on Earth 240M years ago

#5

Post by psergeant »

typpo wrote: post #2

Hi HN, I built this by adapting GPlates ( https://www.gplates.org ), an academic project providing desktop software for geologists to investigate plate tectonic data. I'm amazed that geologists collected enough data to actually plot my home 750M years ago, so I thought you all would enjoy it too. Even though plate tectonic models return precise results, you should consider the plots approximate (obviously we will nev…

This is a great effort, but the spot lighting on earth obscures more than the pretty effect is worth.

Re: Show HN: Plot modern addresses on Earth 240M years ago

#6

Post by typpo »

psergeant wrote: post #5
typpo wrote: post #2

Hi HN, I built this by adapting GPlates ( https://www.gplates.org ), an academic project providing desktop software for geologists to investigate plate tectonic data. I'm amazed that geologists collected enough data to actually plot my home 750M years ago, so I thought you all would enjoy it too. Even though plate tectonic models return precise results, you should consider the plots approximate (obviously we will nev…

This is a great effort, but the spot lighting on earth obscures more than the pretty effect is worth.

Thanks. I removed the spot lighting on Earth - accidentally left that code from when I had a specular map. Also increased ambient light on the night side based on feedback below.

Re: Show HN: Plot modern addresses on Earth 240M years ago

#7

Post by everdev »

typpo wrote: post #2

Hi HN, I built this by adapting GPlates ( https://www.gplates.org ), an academic project providing desktop software for geologists to investigate plate tectonic data. I'm amazed that geologists collected enough data to actually plot my home 750M years ago, so I thought you all would enjoy it too. Even though plate tectonic models return precise results, you should consider the plots approximate (obviously we will nev…

Love the map and amazed to see how similar the world looks now to when the dinosaurs went extinct.

The title implies I can type in my address, but on mobile I can't find anywhere to do that.

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