Quantitative comparison of subsurface structures: an application to salt domes and crystalline bodies

Journal of Structural Geology, vol. 205, pp. 105633

Abstract

Structural geological models are valuable instruments to visualize the subsurface for various scientific and economic interests. However, as geomodels only represent potential realizations of subsurface conditions, quantitative comparison of multiple probable models or model scenarios is important. This study applies an algorithm for the geometric shape quantification. The method quantitatively assesses the geometry of geological structures based on cross sections oriented perpendicular to the structures´ horizontal main axes. The resulting data are analyzed and clustered statistically: Histogram analysis of dimensional data provides insight into the anisotropy of structures, the presence of overhangs and the character of the top surface of the structures. Gradient and curvature data offer insight into the slopes of the lateral walls of the structures and their sphericity as well as top surface. Cluster analysis reveals geometric affiliations, as the methodology is applied to 239 datasets of intrusive salt geometries from the North German Basin and 67 datasets of crystalline basement structures from Saxony (Germany). The resulting clusters are assigned to a catalogue of benchmark models exhibiting high geometric similarity. The cluster results are contextualized in the regional geology of the North-German Basin and the basement of Saxony in Germany. The relation of geometric statistics and regional geology demonstrates the application of the catalogue of benchmark models to model geological bodies.

Authors 4

1. Friedrich Carl corresponding Aachen Chair of Engineering Geology & Hydrogeology

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Chair of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology, RWTH Aachen University, Lochnerstr. 4-20, 52064 Aachen, Germany

2. Marlise Colling Cassel Aachen Chair of Geology and Sedimentary Systems and Geological Institute

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Chair of Geology and Sedimentary Systems and Geological Institute, RWTH Aachen University, Wüllnerstr. 2, 52062 Aachen, Germany

3. Florian Wellmann Aachen Chair of Computational Geoscience

   Fraunhofer Research Institution for Energy Infrastructures and Geotechnologies IEG · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Chair of Computational Geoscience, Geothermics and Reservoir Geophysics, RWTH Aachen University, Mathieustr. 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany

   Fraunhofer Research Institution for Energy Infrastructures and Geotechnologies IEG, Aureliusstr. 2, 52062 Aachen, Germany

4. Peter Achtziger-Zupančič

   Fraunhofer Research Institution for Energy Infrastructures and Geotechnologies IEG

   Affiliation as printed

   Fraunhofer Research Institution for Energy Infrastructures and Geotechnologies IEG, Aureliusstr. 2, 52062 Aachen, Germany