Abstract

Building 3D subsurface models in ArcGIS
Track: Water Resources
Authors: Norm Jones, Douglas Gallup , Gil Strassberg, Timothy Whiteaker

Building a 3D subsurface model is a complex task that requires the assembly of many GIS datasets including terrain models, borehole data, geologic maps, faults, etc. These data are combined to derive a set of interpolated datasets that represent the subsurface to our best knowledge. We present a workflow for creating subsurface models within ArcGIS using a combination of standard ArcGIS tools and custom tools that are part of the Subsurface Analyst toolset. The workflow includes classification and visualization of borehole stratigraphy, sketching cross sections within ArcMap, registration of existing cross section images, interpolation of surfaces, and the generation of 3D features representing volume models and fence diagrams that can be visualized in ArcScene.