Drowning Cities in 3D

The Sea Level Rise 3D Map is a very effective visualization of the possible effects of rising sea levels. The map uses Google's 3D Maps API with deck.gl and three.js to create a very realistic demonstration of how locations around the world could be impacted by different levels of sea level rise.

The map was created by combining Google’s Photorealistic 3D Tiles with a custom Three.js water simulation to model rising sea levels in realistic cityscapes. Built with deck.gl as the rendering framework, the map overlays a dynamic ocean surface - constructed from Three.js’s Water and Sky objects - on top of Google’s high-resolution terrain and building data. 

The map also integrates SunCalc to calculate real-time solar positions and Math.gl for accurate geographic projections, ensuring that the simulated water plane aligns properly with the Earth’s curvature and elevation data.

The Sea Level Rise 3D Map features two intuitive slider controls that let users interactively explore environmental and lighting changes in the map view. The vertical slider on the left side of the interface adjusts the sea level height, allowing users to raise or lower the simulated water surface in one-meter increments. This control visually demonstrates how different levels of sea rise would impact coastal landscapes and urban areas in real time. 

The horizontal slider at the bottom of the map adjusts the time of day, changing the position of the sun and thereby altering the lighting, shadows, and reflections across the 3D landscape. Together with Google’s photorealistic 3D map tiles, these sliders enrich the visual experience of the simulation, creating a dynamic and immersive environment that feels both natural and lifelike.