3D Modeling Method for Dome Structure Using Digital Geological Map and DEM

• Published in: ISPRS international journal of geo-information 2022-06, Vol.11 (6), p.339
• Main Authors: Liu, Xian-Yu, Li, An-Bo, Chen, Hao, Men, Yan-Qing, Huang, Yong-Liang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Accuracy; attitude calculation; Attitudes; Automation; Curves; Deformation; digital geological map; dome structure; Domes; Earth science; Fault lines; Geologic mapping; Geological mapping; Geological maps; Geological structures; Geological surveys; Geology; interface generation; Interfaces; Knowledge; Methods; Mining; Modelling; Stitching; Stratigraphy; Surveying; Three dimensional models; three-dimensional geological modeling
• ISSN: 2220-9964; 2220-9964
• DOI: 10.3390/ijgi11060339

Geological maps have wide coverage with low acquisition difficulty. When other geological survey data are scarce, they are a valuable source of geological structure information for geological modeling. However, for structures with large deformation, geological map information has difficulty meeting the requirement of its 3D geological modeling. Therefore, this paper takes the dome structure as an example to explore a 3D modeling method based on geological maps, DEM and related geological knowledge. The method includes: (1) adaptively calculating the attitude of points on the stratigraphic boundaries; (2) inferring and generating the bottom boundary of the model from the attitude data of the boundary points; (3) generating the model interface constrained by Bézier curves based on the bottom boundary; (4) generating the top and bottom surfaces of the stratum; and (5) stitching each surface of the geological body to generate the final dome model. Case studies of the dome in Wulongshan in China and the Richat structure in Mauritania show that this method can build a solid model of the dome based only on geological maps and DEM data, whose morphological features are basically consistent with those embodied in the section view or the model generated by traditional methods.