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Surface-Based 3D Modeling of Geological Structures

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Abstract

Building a 3D geological model from field and subsurface data is a typical task in geological studies involving natural resource evaluation and hazard assessment. However, there is quite often a gap between research papers presenting case studies or specific innovations in 3D modeling and the objectives of a typical class in 3D structural modeling, as more and more is implemented at universities. In this paper, we present general procedures and guidelines to effectively build a structural model made of faults and horizons from typical sparse data. Then we describe a typical 3D structural modeling workflow based on triangulated surfaces. Our goal is not to replace software user guides, but to provide key concepts, principles, and procedures to be applied during geomodeling tasks, with a specific focus on quality control.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. CRPG, Nancy Université, CNRS, ENSG, rue du doyen Marcel Roubault, BP 40, 54501, Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France

    G. Caumon & P. Collon-Drouaillet

  2. Géosciences Rennes, Université Rennes 1, bat. 15—campus de Beaulieu, 263 Av. du général Leclerc, BP 74205, 35042, Rennes Cedex, France

    C. Le Carlier de Veslud

  3. Laboratoire de Géologie des Systèmes et Réservoirs Carbonatés (EA 4234), Université de Provence, Case 67, 3 place Victor Hugo, 13331, Marseille cedex 03, France

    S. Viseur

  4. G2R, Nancy Université, CNRS, CREGU, BP 70239, 54506, Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France

    J. Sausse

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  1. G. Caumon
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  2. P. Collon-Drouaillet
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  3. C. Le Carlier de Veslud
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  4. S. Viseur
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  5. J. Sausse
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Correspondence to G. Caumon.

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Caumon, G., Collon-Drouaillet, P., Le Carlier de Veslud, C. et al. Surface-Based 3D Modeling of Geological Structures. Math Geosci 41, 927–945 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11004-009-9244-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11004-009-9244-2

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