Towards Seamless Interactions Between Geologic Models and Hydrogeologic Applications

Introduction. Integration of stratigraphic reconstructions and hydrogeologic applications represents a significant challenge. In recent years, different geomodeling tools (e.g., gOcad, EarthVision) and approaches have been developed to provide solutions to this particular problem. One of those solutions is to build computer-based three-dimensional (3-D) geologic framework models (GFM) made of interlocked surfaces (Ross et al. 2002). Not only can these models be viewed as "repositories" of the stratigraphic knowledge (Mallet 2003), they can also be used as the backbone for further discretization, whose type and resolution are adapted to fit the specific needs of any particular application that requires properties to be integrated and analyzed. Therefore, once it is available in a study area, such a model provides a common framework for all project team members, as opposed to a more traditional practice in which geologic information is stored in different media and dispersed through a series of independent end-products. Apart from the geometrical and topological advantages, an obvious benefit of using an integrated 3-D modeling approach is that it reduces redundancy and risks of inconsistencies and helps to streamline updating procedures. Another advantage is that it does away with the necessity of redoing much of the interpretation and stratigraphic modeling to meet the specific requirements of various applications; in the end, time savings can be huge.