3D structural modeling approach by discretization of a basic structural map associated with magnetic data

ABSTRACT

This study proposes a 3D structural modeling approach based on the discretization of a 2D structural model associated with magnetic data. The approach proposed in this study requires first to identify the parameters involved in the modeling (geographical position, direction, dip direction and dip angle) and then to transform the whole 2D model into fault segments. The first discretization will allow determining the position, the direction and the dip direction of each fault segment. This discretization phase was done by coupling the Excel program to existing GIS software. The last discretization will allow evaluating the variation of inclinations along the fault segment. It required the elaboration of a depth model from the magnetic data grid. It is this model that provided all the necessary data for this last discretization, which was automated thanks to the DipAngle code developed for this study. All these discretizations have provided to the used modeler and all the databases necessary for the realization of the various models. The application of this methodology to the Central Domain of the Mbere Division has made it possible to develop different models that can be used as basic documents in exploration projects.

KEYWORDS:

• 3D modeling
• 2D modeling
• geological Mapping
• geophysical interpretation

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to Professor ABDOUL WAHABOU, Director of the School of Geology and Mining Engineering of the University of Ngaoundere, for providing the necessary infrastructure to carry out this work. We are also grateful to the reviewers who examined this work. The authors would like to thank Ben Yates for his English proofreading and comments, which helped to improve the paper.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

Data will be made available on request.

Authorship contribution statement

Ndam Njikam Mohamed Moustapha: Methodology, data acquisition, processing and interpretation as well as to the writing of this manuscript. Ebengué Atéga Philippe Lionel, Nabeel Afzal Butt, Chiewo Ceukou Téthys Authie, Djomagueu Constant and Majura A. M. Songo: Methodology, data processing and interpretation. Meying Arsène, Alessandra Ribodetti and Zanga Amougou Alain: Supervised this study.

Supplemental material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/12269328.2024.2377315

Additional information

Funding

No funding was received for conducting this study.