Exploring Geological Map Usability Through Sequence Chart Visualization

Geological maps integrate dense symbol systems, stratigraphic conventions, and multiple auxiliary elements such as legends, cross-sections, and schemas. Interpreting relationships between surface patterns and geological processes typically requires prior domain knowledge and familiarity with geological notation.

Participants with geological education tend to allocate a larger share of visual attention to map content and task-relevant geological features, while spending relatively less time on legends and explanatory elements. Participants without such training rely more on supportive components to interpret symbols and structures.

Geological cross-sections provide vertical information about subsurface structure that complements the plan-view map representation. Effective use of cross-sections depends on understanding geological conventions, which affects how quickly users identify and interpret these elements.

Difficulties include non-obvious placement of core functions, ambiguous icons for base-map switching, and complex layer management interfaces. Such design choices increase visual search time and interaction effort across user groups.

Participants with geology or geography backgrounds spend a greater proportion of viewing time on geological units and spatial structures, whereas geoinformatics-trained participants attend more to legends and schematic elements. These differences align with variations in disciplinary training and map-use experience.

Large physical map formats limit automated area-of-interest detection and often require manual or semi-manual gaze assignment. Such procedures increase processing effort and introduce potential observer-dependent variability into the analysis.