3d geological modelling and education: teaching geological

GIT – Geology and Information Technology 8a Riunione del Gruppo di Geologia informatica

Sezione della Società Geologica Italiana Chiavenna (So), 17 - 19 giugno 2013

Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra “A. Desio”

3d geological modelling and

education: teaching geological

sections and geological mapping

with MVE Move™

Fabrizio Berra, Fabrizio Felletti, Michele Zucali

Università degli Studi di Milano, Dip. Scienze della Terra “A. Desio”, Via

Mangiagalli 34 – 20133 Milano

E-mail:[email protected]




Geology is a 3d science at any scale

Requirements: ability to “read” two-dimension

representations (typically geological maps) as

symbolic images of the real world

Advantages: easier understanding of complex

geological objects, deductive capacity, data

collection planning




Teaching 3d geology

Typical subject: geological maps (i.e. geological

cross sections)

Complexity of 3d visualization of geological

objects

Importance of training with specific educational

tools

=> No rules valid for any situation, importance of

problem solving startegies




Starting point

Abilities related to:

1) a natural predisposition in the visualization of

complex objects that, according to the theory of

multiple intelligences, can be defined as spatial

intelligence, i.e. the ability to visualize with the

mind's eye and

2) a good training able to develop, through specific

exercises, 3D visualization




Teaching: critical points

need to enhance innate 3D visualization abilities

Use of tools and specific exercises

•Physical models

•Perspective images

•Visualization of 3d geological objects

•Construction of 3D geological models

“Primates are visual animals and we think best in

pictorial or geometric terms” (S.J. Gould)




UNIMI: teaching with 3d modelling software

Bachelor students involved in the process of

production of 3d models after attending a

“classical” geological mapping course

Voluntary basis

Simple exercises

Step by step process for production of 3d models

from geological maps




MOVE™: MVE Academic Software Initiative

Oil industry software with advanced applications

Vector and raster data

Surface interpolation

Retrodeformation (2d and 3d)

Additional modules




Process

Map input

Digitalization of contour lines => DTM construction

Digitalization of geological boundaries

Geological cross sections (digital profile, computer

aided hand-drawing)

Surface interpolation

Model interrogation (new sections, tunnels….)




P. Luoni




P. Luoni

G. Armetti

L. Milesi




Shift form qualitative/approximate geological

reconstruction to geometrically coherent 3d

models

Quantitative approach to the geological data

handling

Improvement of the precision of data collection

and storage

Precision in cartographic representation

P. Luoni




Feedback strongly positive

Students learned the basic use of 3D modeling

software

Students asked for the application of the method to

real geological cases

Strong link between geological mapping and 3d

geological representations




L. Milesi




1

G. Armetti




Further steps:

From voluntary to compulsory training?

Field mapping (field move™?)

Educational stuff

Creation of a portfolio of simple 3d models

Creation of a portfolio of real geological situations

File access via web?




Teaching with 3d software: overall impression

1. Improvement of the 3d visualization capability

in students (teaching and learning geological

sections is easier…)

2. Frustration due to the failure in the reading of

geological maps is reduced

3. Students are more conscious of the importance

of precision in data collection and storage

4. Ability to use software packages with

application to different field of geology




Thanks for your attention…

…and thanks to

the students that

produced the 3d

models!

3d geological modelling and education: teaching geological

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