For some, it might be because they are afraid of heights. Others may have a disability. Still more just won’t have the opportunity to travel to the North Atlantic to experience the geological and cultural attractions that it has to offer.

One solution is to use technology to bring the North Atlantic to them. Virtual-reality goggles can provide a true-to-life, 3D image, as well as the sound and lighting effects needed to make a virtual visit complete.

Geovirtual Reality is the name of a NORA-funded project that seeks to create a virtual exhibition of the geological and cultural heritage of the North Atlantic. The project is led by Norway’s Magma Geopark and has partners in Norway, Iceland and the Faroe Islands.

The virtual exhibition is mobile, and the concept can be copied and used for similar projects elsewhere in the NORA area.

Magma Geopark is an ancient magma field that today is part of the Unesco Global Geopark network of more than 140 geoparks in 40 countries.

The results of the NORA-funded project were incorporated into Magma Geopark’s GeoVR concept, which aims to make it possible for anyone, regardless of age, gender or physical ability, to explore the Earth’s history through a virtual-reality display that incorporates multidimensional images, illustrations, sound, animation and interactivity. The GeoVR concept was launched by Magma Geopark in 2013.

Geovirtual Reality is a follow-on to the NORA-funded Geoparks project. The purpose of the 2012-2015 Geoparks project was to create good tourism activities and a booking system for
tourism-related firms in the NORA area, as well as in neighbouring and partner countries, as a way to promote geo-tourism.

Thanks to the support of NORA and others, the area today has a relatively well-developed range of virtual tourism activities.