| Summary: | <p>The advent of photorealistic, 3D computer models of cliff sections (virtual
outcrops) has improved the immersive nature of virtual geological
field trips. As the COVID-19 pandemic led to widespread national and
international travel restrictions, virtual field trips (VFTs) became
practical and essential substitutes for traditional field trips and
accelerated the development of VFTs based on virtual outcrop data. This
contribution explores two such VFTs delivered to a masters level Integrated Petroleum
Geoscience course at the University of Aberdeen. These VFTs are based on
traditional field trips that are normally run to the Spanish Pyrenees and
Utah (USA). The paper summarizes the delivery mechanism for VFTs based on
virtual outcrops and examines student perception, gauged primarily through
questionnaires and learning outcomes. The VFTs were run in LIME, a software
specifically designed for the interpretation of 3D models and the delivery
of VFTs. Overall, the student perception was very positive and comparable to
satisfaction with the conventional trips. Staff feedback and student
assessments suggest that the learning outcomes were satisfied and highlight
the value of this method of teaching for students who are unable to attend
the field trip and as an addition for those who can.</p>
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