A comprehensive approach to the 3D geological modelling of sedimentary basins: example of Latvia, the central part of the Baltic Basin

This article presents a semi-automatic approach adapted to the modelling of the geological structure of sedimentary basins. The modelling approach is based on developing the algorithm of the main geological processes so that the geometrical relationship is automatically defined between model element...

Full description

Saved in:

Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Estonian journal of earth sciences Vol. 64; no. 2; pp. 173 - 188
Main Authors:	Jātnieks, J, Popovs, K, Saks, T
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	Tallinn Teaduste Akadeemia Kirjastus (Estonian Academy Publishers) 2015 Estonian Academy Publishers
Subjects:	3D geology geological rules geometrical modelling Latvia sedimentary basins thickness constraints
Online Access:	Get full text
Tags:	Add Tag No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!

Description
Summary:	This article presents a semi-automatic approach adapted to the modelling of the geological structure of sedimentary basins. The modelling approach is based on developing the algorithm of the main geological processes so that the geometrical relationship is automatically defined between model elements. The algorithm is based on the assumption that sedimentary basins are formed as a result of the repeated sequence of sedimentation, faulting and erosion. This approach allows of successful modelling of the geological structure of the sedimentary basins with limited data coverage: stratigraphic intervals from well logs describing the thicknesses of sedimentary strata and a limited amount of structural data. Sedimentary layers are handled by modelling assuming non-eroded thickness distribution and using geometrical adjustment from the known fault displacements. As a result, geometrical relationships of the model layers are deduced automatically in the presence of unconformities. An application of this methodology, a 3D geological model of Latvia, the central part of the Baltic Basin, is presented.
ISSN:	1736-4728 1736-7557
DOI:	10.3176/earth.2015.25