An Open-Source, Data-Driven Interactive Web Framework for 3D Visualization of Geoheritage Sites: A Case Study of the Grand Canyon Arizona, United States

Gul Nawaz 

Effective dissemination, public engagement, and educational utilization of prominent geoheritage sites are often hindered by the steep learning curves, high computational requirements, and licensing costs inherent to professional Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and 3D geological modeling software. To bridge this accessibility gap and democratize spatial data, we present a universal, browser-based, open-source 3D visualization framework designed specifically for geoheritage applications. Developed by leveraging modern web technologies (Three.js and Leaflet.js), the framework completely decouples computational rendering logic from hardcoded geological datasets through a centralized, easily modifiable JSON schema (data.json). This novel architecture enables researchers, educators, and park managers to transform structural geological mapping, sequence stratigraphy, and digital elevation models (DEM)without requiring advanced programming knowledgeinto deeply interactive, lightweight web environments. We demonstrate the framework's robustness and scalability by applying it to the iconic stratigraphy and structure of the Grand Canyon (Arizona, USA). The resulting application showcases dynamic 3D SRTM terrain generation, interactive 3D measured stratigraphic boreholes, responsive 2D WebGIS mapping, and analytical figure generation integrated within a unified, client-side dashboard. The proposed framework represents a highly scalable, reproducible, and low-cost approach to virtual geoconservation, digital geotourism, and geoscience education.