A Review of Geological Modeling

Over the past two decades, a series of sophisticated three-dimensional modeling technologies – collectively identified as Geoscientific Information Systems, or GSIS – have been developed to address the need for a precise definition of subsurface conditions (Turner, 1991). Geological modeling requires the extension of traditional GIS methods (Turner, 2000; 2006) and the modeling process remains technically challenging. Geologists have always recognized the need to view the world as multidimensional. The requirements for subsurface characterisation and modelling may be defined as follows: “The industry requires a system for interactive creation of spatial and spatio-temporal models of the physical nature of portions of the Earth’s crust. i.e., the capability to effectively model & visualise: the geometry of rockand time-stratigraphic units, the spatial and temporal relationships between geo-objects, the variation in internal composition of geoobjects, the displacements or distortions by tectonic forces, and the fluid flow through rock units.” (Kelk, 1991). Interpolation between widely spaced filed observations requires geological knowledge to successfully replicate actual geological environments. Iterative methods involving assessments and progressive refinements add considerable time and cost to the creation of subsurface models (Turner, 2006).