Paterson 3D model

• About the Paterson 3D model
• Metadata

• View the Paterson 3D model
• Snapshots of this model
• Constructing geologically-constrained 3D models using 3D GeoModeller
• Paterson Project page

About the Paterson 3D model

The Paterson 3D VRML model of the Cottesloe Syncline region in the northwest Paterson Orogen was created using 3D GeoModeller. 3D GeoModeller is an emerging technology that constructs 3D volumetric models based on a range of geological information. The principal benefit of 3D GeoModeller is that it provides geoscientists with a rapid tool for testing multiple working hypotheses. The models were built by members of the Paterson Project, as well as model building specialists within GA as a two fold exercise. The primary purpose was to test the capabilities of 3D GeoModeller, while the secondary purpose was to evaluate the project's understanding of the 3D geology of the study area.

Two 3D models of the Cottesloe Syncline were constructed, the first one utilizing geological observations only from the geological map, and the other including the outcrop observations as well as an interpreted solid geology of the area. The resultant Cottesloe Syncline models, including two dimensional maps and images, were exported from 3D GeoModeller and transformed into Virtual Reality Modelling Language (VRML), enabling a wide audience to view the model using readily available software. For more information on how the Paterson Project used 3D GeoModeller to construct the Cottesloe Syncline model, see Constructing geologically-constrained 3D models using 3D GeoModeller.

Geographic extent

The Paterson Orogen is located in Western Australia and is situated between the Pilbara Craton to the southwest and the Canning Basin to the northeast. The Cottesloe Syncline 3D model covers an area of 30 x 35 km and is situated in the northwest of the Paterson Orogen.

Content

The Paterson 3D model and associated data sets consist of: a scanned image of the central portion of the Broadhurst 1:100 000 geological map sheet; an image of the Digital Elevation Model; input geological observations from the geological map; additional observations based on an interpreted solid geology; 3D surfaces of the various geological units based on the geological observations; and 3D surfaces based on the geological observations and the interpreted solid geology.

Size

Approximately 7.5MB. Startup download is 69 KB - the remaining datasets download when selected.

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Metadata

Coordinates

Projection

Universal Tranverse Mercator (UTM) Zone 51

Datum

Geocentric Datum of Australia (GDA94)

Bounding box

Map Grid of Australia 1994 (MGA94) coordinates

• Lower left:  405137 E   7515160 N
• Upper right: 435137 E   7550160 N

Input data

• Geology map: Scanned image of the central portion of the Broadhurst 100k map sheet (Hickman and Clarke, 1993).
• DEM: Pseudocolour image of the Digital Elevation Model based on the Geoscience Australia 9-second DEM (2nd edition). Red shades correspond to high elevations, blue shades correspond to low elevations.
• Outcrop only observations: Geological contact locations (Pts) and geological orientation data (Fol) from the geology map.
• Solid geology observations: Geological contact locations (Pts) and geological orientation data (Fol) from the outcrop observations and solid geology interpretation.

Output Model

• 3D surfaces of the various geological units that make up the Cottesloe Syncline 3D model. The surfaces were exported out of 3D GeoModeller as T-Surf format and imported into GoCad where the VRML format surface files were generated.
• OO (outcrop only): 3D model constructed from geological observations from the Broadhurst 1:100 000 map sheet.
• SG (solid geology): 3D model constructed from geological observations and solid geology interpretation.

For a complete metadata reference, please see the ANZLIC metadata record.

References

Hickman, A.H., and Clarke, G.L., 1993. Broadhurst, W.A. Sheet 3353: Western Australia Geological Survey, 1:100 000 Geological Series.