A Review of Geological

Modeling
Short Course 503
Three-Dimensional
Geologic Mapping for
Groundwater Applications
October 27, 2007

A. Keith Turner
Colorado School of Mines
&
Carl W. Gable
Los Alamos National Laboratory
Why Is Modeling & Visualization Important?
The World of the Geoscientist Is Multi-dimensional

 Current interpretation methods limit this view

 Digital versions of traditional maps are not sufficient
 Increased efficiency demands computer-based
methods to:
– Integrate and Manage the data
– Interpret geological features
– Visualize attributes spatially and temporally
– Model dynamic Earth processes
 Importance of This Topic …
 3-D subsurface modeling first became feasible in late
1980’s with the introduction of high-performance Unix-
based graphical workstations

 Developing digital representations of the subsurface

does not ensure high-quality and efficiently managed
projects

 Society is increasingly demanding:

 multi-scale, multidisciplinary, integrative projects
 a shift from passive data collection and archiving to dynamic
information management and dissemination
 Over The Past Decade
Enormously more powerful computers and
data storage have vastly reduced costs!
(Source: C-Tech
 Continuing, rapid advances Development Corp.)
in computer HARDWARE Costs MIPS
and SOFTWARE
technologies
 Modeling & visualization Time
increasingly integrated
 Increasingly realistic
models possible
3-D Model Created/Visualized by PC-based EVS
Problems in Subsurface Investigation
are Unique...
 Subsurface information is often incomplete and
conflicting;
 The subsurface is naturally complex and
heterogeneous;
 Sampling is most often insufficient to resolve all
uncertainties; and
 Scale effects on rock , fluid, and other properties
are usually unknown.
Why We Need Special Modeling and
Visualization Tools and Not Just CAD
GEO-OBJECT

ENGINEERING OBJECT
 A Typical Modeling Project
Problem Statement
Spatial Properties
Raw Data Abstraction Raw Data

Geometry Model Predictive Model

Create Geometry Define Properties

Grid Generation Analytical Computation

Visualization
Interpretation

‘Customer’ Applies Results

 Geometry (Descriptive) Modeling
Definition: Geometry (Descriptive) Modeling involves
visually describing, through various means such as
computer graphics and modeling:
Spatial  The geologic framework
Raw Data
 Distribution and propagation
Geometry Model of attributes
Create Geometry

Grid Generation

Visualization
 3-D Model Involves Two Stages
Framework Definition
 Borehole and isolated
sample data
 Triangulated surfaces
 2-D grids and meshes
 Iso-volumetric models
– from triangulated surfaces
– from cross-sections
– from grids and meshes
– parametric (NURBS, etc)
– Boundary Representations
Discretisation and
Property Distribution
 3-D grids and meshes
– regular hexahedral
– octree variable
– geocellular
– tetrahedral unstructured
meshes
Modeling Often Begins with Borehole Data

(Lynx Geosystems)
 Geometry Models can be
Constructed Using Cross-Sections
 3-D Solid Models can be
developed from Multiple Surfaces
Three
Final Solid
VolumeTriangulated
ModelTwo
Between Surfaces
Surfaces

(Lynx Geosystems)
Layered Models may involve many surfaces
Complex channels and “pinch-outs” are difficult to model
 Regional (Volumetric) Subdivision
Feasible for Non-stratigraphic Cases

(C. Gable – LANL)

 Framework Models require Grids or
Meshes to assign Property Distributions

Volumes
Discretised Model are “empty”
or uniform
Geological Framework Defined First –
then Grid Resolution

(C. Gable – LANL)

 Discretisation may involve
“structured” and “unstructured” meshes
Regular Cells

Examples

Fault

Unstructured Mesh Quadtree Cells

“Geocellular” Volumetric Model
Yucca Mountain Represented by a
Tetrahedral Mesh Model

(C. Gable – LANL)

Accurately Modeling Faults is a Challenge
 Near-horizontal thrust faults form additional surfaces
 Steeply inclined Faults commonly shown as vertical

Edwards Aquifer Model

In Texas – by USGS
 Advanced Fault Modeling
Blocky Faults using
Faults represented Octree model
by unstructured mesh (Carl Gable – LANL)
(Carl Gable – LANL)

3D Unstructured Mesh
of faulted layered sequence
(Carl Gable – LANL)
 Models may be “Nested”
from Regional to Local Scales
Purpose of Modeling is Prediction…
Prediction has an
extrapolative rather than
interpolative character…
 Involves risk
 Leads to Decision-making
 Predictive Modeling
Examples: Predictive Modeling involves prediction
Definition:
economic
 and/or simulations,
simulation of events, dynamic and other
reservoir
 types performance,
of processes occurring in the
 geological subsurface:
fluid migration and transport models,
Properties
 seismic velocity modeling,
 Solve equations, or other
structural restoration
Raw Data

numerical analyses Predictive Model

 Forward and inverse Define Properties

modeling techniques
Analytical Computation

Visualization
The geologic framework controls
the application modeling
Contamination plume model
shown within geology
Full contamination plume model
The Bottom Line …
Trends in 3-D Modeling
 Continuing, rapid advances in computer technologies
 Increasingly realistic models possible
– “Coarse-” vs. “Fine-scale” Models
 Cannot easily incorporate geologic knowledge (i.e.
geologic interpretations)
 Difficulties representing uncertainties
 Hampered by imprecise data and inability to adequately
sample the prototype
 The Modeling Challenge
How Can We Do Better?

 Build 3-D models from isolated bore data and

“soft” information
 Connect known conditions between the
boreholes
 Model real-world complexity
 Verify the resulting models
 Represent the uncertainties of the geologic
framework
 Reduce cost and time of model development
An Integrated Data Management Process
 What Benefits will an Integrative
Approach Provide??

 To the Individual Scientist –

 To the Scientist’s Organization –
 To the “Client” Organizations and Their Staff –
 To Society at Large –
Benefits to the Individual Scientist –

 More time for science, so….

 More interactions with colleagues
 More interesting projects/studies
 More job satisfaction
 More publications
 More rapid promotions
Benefits to the Scientist’s
Organization –
Society
Maximize Organization’s
Value to “Customers”
 Maximize Strategic Value – BETTER!
 Maximize Financial Value – CHEAPER!
 Maximize Operational Effectiveness – FASTER!
Benefits to the “Client”
Organizations and Their Staff –
 Model Consistency
 Data versioning, audit trail, documentation
 QA compliance
 Improved Predictive Capability & Model
Maintenance
 Efficiency: streamlining processes, updating
databases
 Auto-updating decision support tools
Benefits to Society at Large –

 Relevant science that supports

decision-making
 Clearly communicated results
 Cost reductions
Questions???