GIS is useful for various applications in geology. It can be used to create 3D models combining subsurface and surface data for structural and alteration studies to aid exploration. In engineering geology, GIS allows integrating layers like geology and rainfall maps to identify areas at risk for acid mine drainage. When exploring for oil, GIS helps plan and track gravity surveys ensuring correct station locations. It also provides a platform to integrate seismic, well, and remote sensing data to generate new structural maps and models. In geo-hazards, historical earthquake data in GIS helps identify high-risk areas for planning and emergency management. GIS also aids in lava flow modeling for development and evacuation planning.
2. List of Content
GIS Applications in Geology
Geological and subsurface
Mapping
Engineering Geology
oil exploration
Structural Geology
Geo-hazards
3. Geological and Subsurface mapping
The objectives of that study included the
compilation and creation of a three-
dimensional Geographic Information
System model (combining 3D
subsurface data with surface
information)
to provide a framework for concurrent
structural and alteration studies, and to
encourage new exploration in the area.
4. ENGINEERING GEOLOGY
One of the major parts of this study was to assemble a database in
geographical information system (GIS) format to come up with a map
showing the potential for AMD by utilizing the analytical ability in GIS
This presents a problem in Pakistan as there has been a long tradition
of governmental classification of map data as secret. As a result very
little information is available in digital format and obtaining paper maps
to digitize is not easy.
The layers that have been used are: rainfall map, topography map,
Geology map, and mineral deposits map.
5. Oil Exploration
Recent land geophysical field program in the Kohat Potwar province
have shown several uses of GIS as applied to exploration.
The examples illustrate the application of inexpensive, field portable
GIS tools to exploration survey planning, management.
The regional stratigraphy of the area is highly calcareous, consisting of
some thick platform carbonates, and molasse sequences. These factors
create a considerable challenge to acquisition of high quality data.
6. The GIS tools used were valuable in,
(1) tracking and monitoring gravity
data acquisition.
(2) verifying that the gravity station
data were acquired in the correct
locations.
7. Structural Geology
New structural maps and tectonic models for the whole province were
generated.
Information on this region is relatively limited, despite the local
importance of hydrocarbon production and abundant surface and
subsurface data.
The regional approach involved new interpretations of seismic
reflection profiles, well data, remote sensing imagery, and potential-
field data, merged with existing interpretations of similar data sets.
These interpretations, integrations, analyses, and map preparation
were all performed within a GIS platform.
8.
9. Geo-Hazards
Earthquakes: (seber et al, 2000) have
shown that having the historical
earthquake events data managed in GIS
platform can help in avoiding urban
development in areas with high risk
records and it also helps in knowing high
risk areas for better emergency planning
and management.
10. GIS is also useful in predicting
the lava flow direction, and
managing the development
and emergency evacuations.
