Analog Modeling and Visualization of Geological Structures

(01.01.2002 - 31.01.2005)

Analog modeling in structural geology is used to get both insight into the deformation process of natural stone formations and the arising structures. An apparatus developed by the institute of geology is now able to perform any axial kind of deformation ranging from pure constriction to pure flattening. The deformed models consist of a matrix built from plasticine. Within the matrix, a thin layer of contrast dye is embedded. The deformation structures and their evolutionary process were scanned with a CT scanner. The resulting data are visualized with volume rendering methods developed at the computer graphics group. The aim was to find the conditions leading to special boudins, folds or inverse folds. Important factors are the viscosity contrast between matrix and embedded layer. Our method is able to analyse the stuctures without their destruction. This fact allows us to perform multiple successive deformations and to observe the evolution of the geological structures.