GIS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF GEOLOGICAL CROSS SECTIONS

Abstract

To understand the subsurface realm of the Earth, Geologists use Geological cross-sections as tools for deciphering how the subsurface is looking like. These cross-sections are also helpful in making 3-dimensional models of subsurface, to help in understanding the geology beneath the surface, the geological structures present and other various information about the underlying beds. These cross-sections although very helpful to geologists, take a huge time and effort because of the mathematical and statistical work required to produce them. So, it is better to automate this task as much as possible. An attempt is made to produce a tool which is an extension to ArcMap 10.0 or higher which can be used to produce geological cross-sections. ArcMap, being one of the most used mapping software used by geologists, is easily available and is compatible with most of the types of data present. The tool is made as an addin to the ArcMap, which is presented with a semi-automated user interface and uses a custom format of data. The tool is developed in Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 professional and is developed by using C# language. The front-end processing and back-end processing involved during the generation of cross-section by this tool is discussed in detail. A Trend interpolation technique of fourth order polynomial is used to construct surfaces of lithological contacts. The user interface provided does a lot of work itself that is required for it to take inputs from user. The back-end processing involving generation of final cross-section and the intermediary files created in between the process is fully automated. Efforts are made to make the tool flawless and error-free. The tool, being mostly in development stage during the study is not completely error free and only a little amount of real data is used for the testing purpose of the tool. The limitations and drawbacks of tool are also discussed in detail.