The term dynamic display is applied to displays capable of change, in contrast to static displays, such as paper maps and graphics. Changes in a dynamic display may occur in an automatic manner or in response to actions of the user. The term interactive display is applied to dynamic displays that change in response to a user's actions. Dynamic displays capable of changing automatically are often called animated displays. An animated display may at the same time be interactive. At the very least, the user may interactively stop, resume, and restart the play, but more advanced interaction possibilities may also be provided.

Computer animation is often used in a straightforward way to display dynamic phenomena. In particular, dynamic phenomena related to geographic space are most often ...