Profiling of Aeromagnetic Data Interpretation using the Eye Tracker

Abstract

Interpretation of geoscientific data is a difficult and sometimes an impossible task. The interpretation process involves the interplay between what are obviously or objectively noticeable phenomena in observations and what interpreters bring (i.e. subjectivity) to the interpretation in regards to presuppositions and expectations. As a first step towards understanding subjectivity and human biases in interpretation, our study focuses on quantitative profiling of the behaviour of interpreters. Whilst the data is being observed, we use an eye tracker that captures eye gaze information associated with the visualization of the data. The specific aims of this study include the analysis of: (1) target spotting accuracy and efficiency between interpreters with different levels of experience and different geoscience expertise; (2) the impact of commonly used enhancement tools for data interpretation. A preliminary experiment was conducted using an aeromagnetic dataset from Ontario, Canada, and the 1st order vertical derivative (1VD) of the corresponding data, to characterise the observation patterns in free viewing and target spotting accuracy for specific geological features (faults, granitoid intrusions, kimberlite pipes). The results showed: some distinct observation patterns between experienced and inexperienced interpreters; and the impact of the 1VD enhanced data in interpretation. The study outcomes may impact on a wide range of geoscientific activities including: risk management in decision making for the mining industry; education and training of geoscientists; and the development of enhancement tools for geoscientific data.