By Holly Chapman
Visible Geology, the free 3D earth science education tool from Seequent, has surpassed 200,000 users worldwide since its relaunch in June 2024.
The usage milestone coincides with the tool being named a finalist in the STEM solution category for The EdTech Cool Tool Awards 2026.
Recognising innovations in education technology for 16 years, the awards honor those who are transforming education through technology in ways that are meaningful, measurable, and lasting.
As Victor Rivero, Editor-in-Chief of EdTech Digest, noted about this year’s finalists:
‘You’re not just advancing the field; you’re helping redefine it.’
The new construction feature in Visible Geology in action: Add tunnels, piles, and foundations directly in your 3D geological model.
Source: Seequent
Related content:
* Seequent’s Visible Geology inspired 90,000 users worldwide
* What’s next for science?
Bringing real-world engineering into 3D geology
Building on this momentum, Visible Geology has introduced a major update designed to bridge the gap between earth science and practical engineering.
A brand-new construction feature allows users to place and manipulate real-world infrastructure – such as tunnels, piles, and foundations – directly within their 3D geological models. By adjusting the size, depth, and orientation of these structures, and using a new x-ray view to make the surrounding geology semi-transparent, students can visualise how infrastructure interacts with underlying rock layers and faults.
New peer-reviewed teaching resources
To ensure educators have the resources to adopt and maximise Visible Geology, new teaching materials have been launched on the Science Education Resource Centre (SERC).
These teaching materials have been developed and peer-reviewed in partnership with leading earth science educators associated with SERC (United States) and the University of Canterbury (New Zealand).
Rory McFadden, President of National Association of Geoscience Teachers & Science Education Associate at SERC said:
‘By partnering with Seequent to build Visible Geology teaching activities, we are providing educators with robust, peer-reviewed materials to help their students understand and interact with complex concepts in 3D. Visible Geology doesn’t just make the subsurface visible, it invites students to interact with it, building the critical reasoning skills they need for future careers in earth science.’
Streamlined access for classrooms
To make classroom adoption even easier, access to the tool has been simplified. Students and educators can now log into Visible Geology directly using their Google credentials, providing a seamless experience that gets them modelling faster.
Equipping the next generation
These updates are part of a broader effort to support the next generation of geoprofessionals. With university enrolments in the earth sciences declining globally, modernising how fundamental geological concepts are taught is critical.
Visible Geology product was the subject of an AGUTV documentary as part of a series showcasing impactful initiatives.
Source: Seequent
According to Seequent Chief Customer Officer Angela Harvey, Seequent products are used by eight of the top 10 mining companies in the world and seven of the top 10 environmental consultancies.
‘So we feel a responsibility and also an opportunity to educate the next generation of earth scientists.’
By making the subsurface accessible and engaging, Seequent aims to help equip the future geoscientists and engineers required to tackle complex global challenges, from infrastructure development to the energy transition.