Keywords: Geological modelling, parasitic folding, structural cross-sections, feature analysis, Hamersley, cross-section balancing
Supervisors: Chris Powell (Tectonics Special Research Centre), Peter Kovesi (Dept of Computer Science)
Project Funding: Australian Postgraduate Award (Industry), Minerals and Energy Research Institute of Western Australia

 
A parasitic fold profile seen in a sample from the Hamersley Province, WA

Project Description

The interpretation and analysis of geological data in order to develop a structural cross-section is not an exact science. There may exist many interpretations that "fit" a known data set, and it is only through experience that a geologist can combine different ideas in order to produce a single representative cross-section. The final section should realistically depict geological structures that are consistent with the observed structural styles of the local region. However, it can also be helpful to use ideas gained by studying interpretations of other regions - particularly regions with similar attributes to the local region.

The proposed aim of this research is to develop a computer software system that aids the process of creating geologically consistent cross-sections. The system will

• represent and store all geological features (faults, folds, detachments, layers, stratigraphic contacts, age relationships, et cetera) within a flexible and general data structure,
• parameterise these features in a meaningful manner - fold wavelengths, spatial distribution of faults, et cetera,
• analyse sections to derive characteristic measures (for example, a fractal dimension) or alternate representations (for example, a wavelet representation of changing fold parameters), and
• use the analysis results in order to quantitatively compare cross-sections, identifying differences and similarities.

The development of a system that stores cross-sections within a data structure (and then analyses them), will necessarily require sample data sets and cross-sections. It is proposed that cross-sections drawn from the interpretation along two seismic lines in the Hamersley province be used as the primary case study for this work. Sample data from other regions will also be attained. An accurate and detailed representation of these sections will balanced using commercially available software. Then the sections will be digitally stored and analysed, together with pertinent field data collected along the seismic lines. Emphasis will be placed on the representation and parameterisation of the varying amount of shortening along large-scale fold profiles in the cross-sections.

Last updated 3/3/1999