Google Earth includes digital elevation models and surface imagery for the Earth, Moon, and Mars, but not for Venus. To help geoscientists visualize Venusian geology, geophysics, and geodynamics, we have built a “Google Venus” virtual globe on a Google Earth foundation. We present here details of how this was done and offer regional samples to show the power of the virtual globe, combined with space mission imagery, and COLLADA models in displaying surface data and global, crust-to-core cross sections. We show how web data sources can be linked to Venusian locations in an engaging, interactive format. Our approach could be adapted to other planets and moons of the Solar System and to models of exoplanets.

Google Earth is a free, easy-to-use geobrowser that has become a popular tool for observing planet Earth. Several features within Google Earth can enhance teaching of geomorphology concepts. The ability to tilt a scene and view a landscape three-dimensionally, along with the capability to make measurements and construct an elevation profile, can greatly facilitate the identification and characterization of land-forms and geomorphic mapping. Historical imagery allows users to access and analyze imagery dating back to the 1940s in some locations. This time-series of imagery is useful for studying natural and anthropogenic geomorphic processes and change. In addition to the geospatial data provided by Google Earth, supplementary data such as U.S. Geological Survey topographic or geologic maps, can be imported and easily georeferenced to provide an opportunity for more comprehensive analysis. Although not as powerful as commercial geographic information system (GIS) software, Google Earth is a dynamic venue for students to explore and analyze the geomorphology of the entire planet.