Color is crucial in scientific visualization, yet it is often misused. Addressing this, we think accessible and accurate techniques, such as color-blind friendly palettes and perceptually even gradients, are vital. Accountability and basic knowledge in data visualization are key in fostering a culture of color integrity, ensuring accurate and inclusive data representation.
Color is a central element to scientific communication, but its use comes with the responsibility to ensure universally accessible and accurate data presentation. This short Viewpoint Article aims to sensitize the chemical community to the importance of mindful color choices in scientific illustrations.
Color
The accurate representation of data is essential in science communication. However, colour maps that visually distort data through uneven colour gradients or are unreadable to those with colour-vision deficiency remain prevalent in science. These include, but are not limited to, rainbow-like and red-green colour maps. Here, we present a simple guide for the scientific use of colour. We show how scientifically derived colour maps report true data variations, reduce complexity, and are accessible for people with colour-vision deficiencies. We highlight ways for the scientific community to identify and prevent the misuse of colour in science, and call for a proactive step away from colour misuse among the community, publishers, and the press.
Subduction zones are pivotal for the recycling of Earth's outer layer into its interior. However, the conditions under which new subduction zones initiate are enigmatic. Here, we constructed a transdisciplinary database featuring detailed analysis of more than a dozen documented subduction zone initiation events from the last hundred million years. Our initial findings reveal that horizontally forced subduction zone initiation is dominant over the last 100 Ma, and that most initiation events are proximal to pre-existing subduction zones. The SZI Database is expandable to facilitate access to the most current understanding of subduction zone initiation as research progresses, providing a community platform that establishes a common language to sharpen discussion across the Earth Science community.
