A review of sedimentary forward modeling methods for different sedimentary systems of clastic rock series

Abstract

More and more attention has been paid to the sedimentary forward modeling (SFM) since the study on the sedimentology is targeted toward quantification, process orientation and systematization. This review first stated the main input and output data of the current sedimentary forward modeling and sorted out the determination methods of the input parameters. Then it reviewed the classification methods of the sedimentary forward modeling, and the classification principles included principle of simulation, number of simulation processes, types of simulation results, simulation dimension, simulation scale, data fidelity and source region covering source-sink system. Subsequently, it introduced the sedimentary forward modeling methods for the different sedimentary systems of clastic series, including hillside landform, river and deep-draft waterway, delta, lobe and landslide. It also described some classic simulation programs for the individual series, indicated the sedimentary characteristics of this series to be essentially simulated and their corresponding principles of simulation and covered multiple simulation methods as much as possible to expand the understanding of the sedimentary forward modeling. Finally, it looked into the development of the sedimentary forward modeling believed it would be targeted toward the three-dimension visualization, multi-process integration and multi-discipline integration, proposed to strengthen the training of compound talents in computer, mathematics, mechanics and geosciences; strengthened the experimental study on the sedimentary forward modeling hypothesis to study the sedimentation theory; tried multiple simulation methods and shifted the application foremost to the research and development foremost.

Keywords

• sedimentary forward modeling
• sedimentary process
• sedimentary system
• clastic rock series
• hillside landscape