Conventional geological data sets used for 3D geometrical models are usually deduced from geophysical measurements, e.g. reflection seismic, ground penetrating radar or seismic tomography. Within the last decades, these techniques have become standard for many commercial applications, especially for mineral or hydrocarbon exploration and reservoir modelling. Evidently, the creation of 3D models of geological features as folds or faults, in addition with fossil reconstructions (e.g. ammonites, algae), facilitates their interpretation and further permits the generation of mechanical or hydrological models, prediction of reservoir properties and reconstruction of biostratinomic processes.
Similarly, 3D models of outcrop- or hand specimen sized geological objects have become increasingly popular, providing accurate reconstructions of e.g. sedimentary strata and volumes, distribution, orientation and size of minerals or fossils in a sample, biostratinomic and diagenetic processes, spatial distribution of faults or fractures, or surface morphology of fault surfaces. A multitude of complementary techniques has advanced in the recent years, which provide such 3D data sets of geological objects both from surface and volume scanning methods. Laser scanning (airborne, terrestrial or desktop scanners) of surface morphology, point cloud data generated from digital images, or computed tomography down to (or even below) a few microns of spatial resolution are increasingly employed for geoscientific investigations, using an equally variable range of processing techniques and software packages.
In this session, we invite contributions from all fields in earth sciences employing 3D geometrical models, from paleontological to petrological and structural studies, demonstrating the great variability and wide range of applications, analytical techniques and possible limitations of 3D models in earth sciences.