Three-dimensional visualization for evaluating automated, geomorphic pattern-recognition analyses of crustal structures
We are developing and applying a suite of automated remote geologic analysis (RGA) methods at Pacific Northwest Laboratory (PNL) for extracting structural and tectonic patterns from digital models of topography and other spatially registered geophysical data. In analyzing a map area, the geologist employs a variety of spatial representations (e.g., topographic maps; oblique, vertical and vertical stereographic aerial photographs; satellite-sensor images) in addition to actual field observations to provide a basis for recognizing features (patterns) diagnostic or suggestive of various geologic and geomorphic features. We intend that our automated analyses of digital models of elevation use the same photogeologic pattern-recognition methods as the geologist's; otherwise there is no direct basis for manually evaluating results of the automated analysis. Any system for automating geologic analysis should extend the geologist's pattern-recognition abilities and quantify them, rather than replace them. This requirement means that results of automated structural pattern-recognition analyses must be evaluated by geologists using the same method that would be employed in manual field checking: visual examination of the three-dimensional relationships among rocks, erosional patterns, and identifiable structures. Interactive computer-graphics in quantitative (i.e., spatially registered), simulated three-dimensional perspective and stereo are thus critical to the integration and interpretation of topography, imagery, point data, RGA-identified fracture/fault planes, stratigraphy, contoured geophysical data, nonplanar surfaces, boreholes, and three-dimensional zones (e.g., crush zones at fracture intersections). This graphical interaction presents the megabytes of digital geologic and geophysical data to the geologist in the same spatial format that field observations would take, permitting direct evaluation of RGA methods and results. 5 refs., 2 figs.
- Research Organization:
- Pacific Northwest Lab., Richland, WA (USA)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC06-76RL01830
- OSTI ID:
- 5623443
- Report Number(s):
- PNL-SA-18442; CONF-910432-1; ON: DE91012929
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 8. thematic conference on geologic remote sensing: exploration, engineering and environment, Denver, CO (USA), 29 Apr - 2 May 1991
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS//MATHEMATICS, COMPUTING, AND INFORMATION SCIENCE
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
PATTERN RECOGNITION
REMOTE SENSING
AUTOMATION
COMPUTER GRAPHICS
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
DATA ANALYSIS
EARTH CRUST
EXPLORATION
GEOLOGIC FAULTS
GEOLOGIC FRACTURES
GEOLOGIC SURVEYS
GEOPHYSICAL SURVEYS
INTERACTIVE DISPLAY DEVICES
MAN-MACHINE SYSTEMS
MAPPING
TECTONICS
TOPOGRAPHY
COMPUTER OUTPUT DEVICES
COMPUTER-GRAPHICS DEVICES
DISPLAY DEVICES
SIMULATION
SURVEYS
580000* - Geosciences
990200 - Mathematics & Computers