Kriging for interpolation of sparse and irregularly distributed geologic data
For many geologic problems, subsurface observations are available only from a small number of irregularly distributed locations, for example from a handful of drill holes in the region of interest. These observations will be interpolated one way or another, for example by hand-drawn stratigraphic cross-sections, by trend-fitting techniques, or by simple averaging which ignores spatial correlation. In this paper we consider an interpolation technique for such situations which provides, in addition to point estimates, the error estimates which are lacking from other ad hoc methods. The proposed estimator is like a kriging estimator in form, but because direct estimation of the spatial covariance function is not possible the parameters of the estimator are selected by cross-validation. Its use in estimating subsurface stratigraphy at a candidate site for geologic waste repository provides an example.
- Research Organization:
- Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-36
- OSTI ID:
- 60335
- Report Number(s):
- LA-UR-86-556; CONF-8608125-4; ON: DE87013293
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: American Statistical Association meeting, Chicago, IL (United States), 18-21 Aug 1986; Other Information: PBD: 1986
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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