Conversion of Geological Cross Sections and Surface Maps

Conversion of geological cross sections and interpretation surface maps

Background and Objectives

The client is a leading exploration company based in Australia and has executed several projects in North America and Australia. They work on a business model that combines technology with 3D Geosciences to increase the rate of discovery in sub-surface exploration.

Key Aspects of the Project

• Two types of projects were executed, namely, conversion of geological cross sections and interpretation surface maps. The former was part of a regional study conducted by the client, involving digital data compilation and regional/terrain-scale geological modeling. The end objective is identifying areas of prospective world-class deposits.
• The latter was part of a larger project implemented by the client that involved the collection, integration and validation of a large amount of data. The end objective is in building a new suite of geological interpretations and 3D models for the region.

Services Rendered and Methodology

• Geological Cross Sections
  Scans of cross-sections with registration points were used as input data.
  
  The scope of work involved the following activities:
  • Registration of image
  • Digitization of linework based on pre-defined criteria
  • Creation of polygons
  • Color-filling and splitting onto unique - levels
  • Conversion of 2D sections to 3D
  • Splitting of files into linework and polygons
• Deliverables
  
  • Output files in MicroStation .dgn format
  • Excel spreadsheet detailing level information
• Surface Maps
  A0 scans of surface maps were used as input data for digitization.
  
  The scope of work involved the following activities:
  • Creation of Level Structure for the Line and polygon Codes based on legend provided
  • Import of registration reference file into the image registration software
  • Registering of scans using outline of the reference file
  • Digitization of all Line work on individual scans and level structuring in Microstation
  • Export the existing Line work from MapInfo to Microstation
  • Edge Matching of digitized scans with adjacent scans and with imported line work from MapInfo
  • QC of Line Work
  • Delivery of individual and edgematched line work files in .DGN
  • Merging individual digitized line work files as a single file
  • Polygon creation, Layerization and color filling in Microstation
  • QC of Polygons
  • Delivery of merged line work and polygon files in .DGN
  • Export Line Work and Polygon Files to MapInfo
  • Populating columns and color mapping of line and polygon files
  • Delivery of merged line work and polygon files in MapInfo
• Deliverables
  
  • 2D MicroStation files
  • Excel level sheet for MicroStation files
  • MapInfo files

Tools used:

• MicroStation J
• MapInfo
• ArcMap