Teaching with digital geology in the high Arctic: opportunities and challenges

Abstract. The Covid-19 pandemic occurred at a time of major revolution in the geosciences – era digital geology. Digital outcrop models (DOMs) acquired from consumer drones, processed using user-friendly photogrammetric software and shared with wider audience through online platforms are cornerstone this geological revolution. Integration DOMs other geoscientific data, such as maps, satellite imagery, terrain models, geophysical data field observations, strengthens their application both research education. Teaching geology tools advances students' learning experience by providing access to high-quality outcrops, enhancing visualization 3D structures improving integration. Similarly, active use integrate new observations will facilitate more effective fieldwork quantitative research. From student's perspective, georeferenced scaled allow for an improved appreciation scale architecture, which is threshold concept us bring geoscientists outcrops digitally, particularly important view that restricts travel thus direct outcrops. At University Centre Svalbard (UNIS), located 78? N Longyearbyen Arctic Norway, actively used even non-pandemic years, summer season short not overlapping Bachelor “Arctic Geology” course package held January June each year. In 2017, we UNIS developed (AG222 “Integrated Geological Methods: Outcrop To Geomodel”) encourage emerging techniques like integration solve authentic challenges. parallel, have established open-access Svalbox portal, forms backbone AG222 activities provides easy growing number DOMs, 360? subsurface published Svalbard. Considering rapid onset pandemic, portal pre-Covid work on allowed rapidly adapt fulfil least some objectives during pandemic. contribution, provide overview development share experiences running platform, before