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| Figure 1: An image generated by FracSIS. It shows a seismic section, 1:100,000 geological maps, total magnetic intensity data, and gravity "worms", and demonstrates how several different data types can be viewed simultaneously. |
The initial goal of this project was to use a grid computing approach to access data stored by Geoscience Australia (GA) and the Geological Survey of Queensland (GSQ). However problems such as the lack of a suitable standard for presenting the data and security issues meant that the project's goals had to be changed. As a result, this project focused on compiling the large amount of data from various sources into a local database.
The data that was used to make up the database came from a variety of sources and as a result was in a variety of formats and coordinate systems. The data was not always amenable to 3-D visualisation in the formats they were presented in. This required considerable effort to re-format most of the data, establish a common coordinate system and validate the data. This work was mostly done in ArcInfo or MapInfo, depending on the original format of the data and what needed to be done to reformat it. This database is accessible by researchers at JCU.
The "cleaned" data was then loaded into a FracSIS database. FracSIS allows the data to be viewed in 3-D and is able to align data that have different coordinate systems. Figure 1 is an image generated by FracSIS, and shows how several data types can be viewed simultaneously, allowing easier analysis.
The main outcome of this project was the framework for a 3-D model of the Eastern Fold Belt (EFB) of the Mount Isa Inlier. A large amount of input was made by researchers in the pmd*CRC, with over 10 researchers contributing directly to the project. The input of the research team was to ensure that they agree with the available data and current knowledge of the history of the Mt Isa Inlier. This contribution was essential, as regardless of the technology used, the model would be useless if it were not representative of the geology of the area.
A workshop in December 2004 produced a series of cross-sections. During the workshop the digital datasets collated during this project were used to provide a 3-D context for the construction of the geological cross-sections using FracSIS, ArcGIS, and gOcad running on hardware provided by JCU’s High Performance Computing department.
The cross-sections generated subsequent to the workshop were imported into gOcad where they have been used to provide the framework for a 3-D model of the crustal architecture of the study area. Work is continuing within the pmd*CRC to complete this model.
Although this project was unsuccessful in its attempts to use a grid computing approach to access data stored at various institutions within Australia it was successful in delivering a comprehensive dataset to researchers within the pmd*CRC and the framework for a 3-D geological model.
Participants
Cameron Huddlestone-Holmes,
Associate Professor Ian
Atkinson
James Cook University
Industry Participant
Reports
Final Report - March 2005 (66 KB PDF)