On three-dimensional geological modeling and visualization

摘要

The technology of 3D geological modeling will bring about great changes in the methods of geological data acquiring, storing, processing and displaying. However, no perfect or convenient software systems have been developed up to now since the geologic data which reflect geological entities bear the feature of diversity, uncertainty and complexity. Some supervoxel models, mathematical models of fault and geometrical models of fold have been contrived so as to show the space geometric configuration of the complicated geologic structures. The application-oriented system architecture for 3D geological modeling is established; and a novel design concept based on spatial data processing is also proposed with the technology of solid modeling as its core and the application of models as its objective. Theories and methods for 3D geological modeling will hopefully be enriched and developed. In the light of these theories and methods, a feature-based navigation visualization technique is also put forward in the paper. By integrating geo-database, graphics libraries and KBS with 3D dynamic simulation systems, geologists will be able to capture the partial characteristics and whole structure embodied in the geological data in a direct-viewing, figurative and accurate manner.