Earth scientists will always be confronted with making decisions based on limited data sets. Therefore it is important to understand how to maximise geological interpretations from sparse data sets, while understanding the limitations of what can be inferred. This course explores how to combine various 3D spatial data sets to solve problems in 3D geological settings and covers how to construct 3D geological conceptual site models for quantification and communication.

Topics covered include: introduction to scripting, gridding algorithms, constructing 3D geological computer models of aquifers, mineral deposits and reservoirs, gridding of faulted and folded geological data, geostatistical simulation, facies modelling, and calculating the volume of a resource (water, ore, oil and gas). Case studies from regional hydrogeology, contaminated sites, mining, and petroleum will be presented.

Prerequisite: Introductory statistics and an Earth Science or Engineering degree.

Assumed Knowledge: A background knowledge of rock and sediment types, faulted and folded geological settings, geomorphology, and surface water and groundwater processes is assumed.