3D Geology

Obviously all geology is 3D, but some of it isn't visible to us, or is too fragile to be handled for too long, so the development of 3D printing has certainly helped. A 3D printer belonging to Franek Hasiuk, a geologist at Iowa State University, has helped to revolutionise teaching and research. Pore spaces in rocks are tiny voids where oil, gas and fluids hide, and they are very tricky to see. 3D printing has allowed scientists to see these pore spaces, however better quality 3D printers are needed for the smaller pores. Hasiuk's printer has been used to replicate fossils for students to study without the worry of running out of specimens or destroying any of them. All students are now able get a type specimen (the fossil from which the species is described), without fear of damaging the specimens. 3D printing is also useful for students who have vision impairments, as they get to feel things like continents that they wouldn't be usually be able to interact with. For more information, visit livescience.