3D geological model of Catalonia
The three-dimensional study of subsoil geology has become in recent years one of the main objectives for the academic community, industry and institutions involved in the management and development of the territory. It is for this reason that, in the Cartographic and Geological Institute of Catalonia, 3D modeling is a prominent line in the research plan.
The three-dimensional complexity of geological structures makes the best approximation for their knowledge is three-dimensional modeling.
The techniques of reconstruction of geological structures have a very recent application and contemplate very important applications, among which the following should be highlighted:
Land management: underground works.
Storage in the underground: geological storage of CO2, natural gas or compressed air.
Exploration and exploration of natural resources: fossil fuels and water.
Three-dimensional location of the hypocenters of earthquakes.
Environmental studies: aquifer contamination.
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The improvement in the visualization of the structure and the composition of the subsoil allows a better disclosure of the geological knowledge.
In this first version of 2013, only the most important surfaces (stratigraphic and structural discontinuities) have been modeled, leaving the volumes between them as empty spaces.
Vista general del Model geològic 3D de Catalunya
Model geològic 3D amb hipocentres dels terratrèmols
Evolution of the project
The evolution of the project has been structured in different phases of work:
July - December 2009. During this first period, data have been collected (both underground and surface), especially those more accessible and public. Still, and in parallel, it has been performing its classification and quality control, as well as its adaptation to the standard formats.
September 2010 - March 2011. The work carried out has focused on two aspects. On the one hand, in the adaptation and reinterpretation of both the existing geological information and the new information collected. This part of the work done is the longest and most important because it determines the validity of the resulting geological model. On the other hand, in the reconstruction to obtain the final 3D model.
Evolution of the 3D Model. The geological information generated and compiled by the ICGC will be incorporated into the 3D Model to progressively improve the resolution of the information. In the medium term, we will work on the characterization of subsoil rock volumes and the creation of consultation tools.
Salt encavalcament basal. Secció Nord-Sud que mostra la morfologia de l'encavalcament basal i l'encavalcament de les Nogueres, així com la superfície modelitzada de la discontinuïtat de Mohorovicic. S'aprecia el salt de falla produït per l'encavalcament basal.
Fossa del Vallès. Imatge on s'aprecia la falla del Vallès Penedès, que limita la fossa del Vallès al Nord i afecta algunes de les superfícies estratigràfiques modelitzades.
The 3D Geological Model of Catalonia has been built using the GOCAD® program of Paradigm (https://www.pdgm.com/products/GOCAD).