Terra Pulse

Inspiration

TerraPulse was inspired by the increasing frequency and severity of climate-related disasters such as floods, wildfires, and heatwaves. I noticed that most people only see climate data in the form of charts or news reports, which can be difficult to understand intuitively. I wanted to create a more visual and interactive way to explore how environmental changes impact the planet. The goal was to make climate risk feel understandable, immediate, and engaging.

What it does

TerraPulse is an interactive 3D climate risk and disaster forecasting system. It allows users to adjust environmental factors like temperature, pollution, deforestation, and sea level to see how they affect Earth in real time. The system visualizes disaster scenarios such as heatwaves, floods, and wildfires through dynamic 3D effects. It also includes regional risk zones, explanations for each factor, and a global planet status indicator.

How we built it

TerraPulse was built using Next.js, React, and Three.js for real-time 3D rendering. The Earth is constructed using layered spheres for terrain, water, clouds, and atmospheric effects. User-controlled sliders update a central state system that dynamically modifies the visual environment. Scenario logic and forecasting modes are implemented using rule-based calculations rather than external APIs or machine learning models.

Challenges we ran into

One of the main challenges was optimizing 3D performance while keeping the simulation smooth and responsive. Managing multiple layered materials and animations in real time required careful tuning. Another challenge was designing a system that communicates complex climate interactions without overwhelming the user. It was also difficult to balance realism with clarity while keeping everything interactive and beginner-friendly.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

We are proud of building a fully interactive 3D Earth simulation that responds instantly to user input. The Forecast Mode system effectively demonstrates how different environmental conditions can lead to specific disaster scenarios. We also successfully designed an educational interface that combines visualization, explanation, and action-oriented insights. The project feels both visually engaging and meaningful, despite being built without external APIs or datasets.

What we learned

Through building TerraPulse, we learned how to create interactive 3D environments using Three.js and manage real-time state updates in React. We also gained experience translating abstract environmental data into visual and intuitive simulations. Additionally, we learned how to design systems that balance education and engagement. Most importantly, we learned how powerful visual storytelling can be in communicating climate-related concepts.

What's next for Terra Pulse

Next, we plan to enhance TerraPulse by adding more detailed disaster simulations such as hurricanes and drought systems. We also aim to improve forecasting logic and introduce region-specific climate behavior. A future version could include real-world weather data integration for more accuracy. We also want to optimize performance further and potentially expand it into a mobile-friendly disaster awareness tool.

Built With

• javascript
• next.js
• react
• tailwind
• three.js
• typescript