strike-slip faults
Elliptical dome developing in claycake during regional extension; clay deforming over active dome
Detail of breaching relay ramp between two en echelon normal faults in sandbox model; grid squares initially 1.5-cm square
Digital terrain model (DTM) created using dynamic structured light (DSL), plan view
DTM as above, oblique view
Photograph of model surface used to create the DTM above; extensional clay model
Mapping of 3D seismic reflection surveys, availability of 3D digital topographic data for Earth's surface (and Mars), and development of computer software for 3D visualization and geologic framework modeling have led to rapid growth in 3D analysis of geologic structures. Detailed measurement of the 3D geometry of physical analog models, however, has lagged behind.
To close this data analysis gap, we are using a new SwRI-developed technique to produce digital terrain models (DTMs) of the deformed model upper surface using patterned light. Digital images of the model upper surface are collected throughout the model deformation and processed near real time to construct 3D DTMs that represent the topography of the model upper surface. These 3D DTMs are used for:
- Extraction of fault cutoff lines
- Export to finite element models
- Extraction of topographic slope
- Extraction of slope aspect information
- Quantitative evaluation of topomorphic evolution
- Production of digital shaded relief models
- Quantitative comparison with real-world examples from digital topographic data, 3D seismic reflection surveys, and geologic framework modeling
physical analog • analog modeling • geologic structures • tectonic history • deformation • seismic interpretation • fault system kinematics • fractured reservoirs • faulted aquifers • digital terrain models • structural geology • tectonic • fault geometry