Constructing 3D geological models based on large-scale geological maps

Abstract

The construction of 3D geological models based on geological maps is a subject worthy of study. The construction of geological interfaces is the key process of 3D geological modeling. It is hard to build the bottom interfaces of quaternary strata only using boundaries in large-scale geological maps. Moreover, it is impossible to construct bedrock geological interfaces through sparse occurrence data in large-scale geological maps. To address the above-mentioned two difficulties, we integrated two key algorithms into a new 3D modeling workflow. The buffer algorithm was used to construct virtual thickness contours of quaternary strata. The Inverse Distance Weighted (IDW) algorithm was applied to occurrence interpolation. Using a regional geological map of a city in southern China, the effectiveness of our workflow was verified. The complex spatial geometry of quaternary bottom interfaces was described in detail through boundaries buffer. The extension trends of bedrock geological interfaces were reasonably constraint by occurrence interpolation. The 3D geological model constructed by our workflow accords with the semantic relationship of tectonics. Through the model, the complex spatial structure of urban shallow strata can be displayed stereoscopically. It can provide auxiliary basis for decision-making of urban underground engineering.

Keywords

• 3d geological modeling
• large-scale geological maps
• geological interfaces
• virtual thickness contours
• occurrence interpolation