Development of a predictive model for defining subsurface sand bodies

Numerous hazardous and toxic waste sites are underlain by sedimentary deposits. The delineation of buried paleochannels is a prime concern during the characterization of these sites. Buried paleochannels often provide direct conduits for contamination to move rapidly in the subsurface. Historically the method used to define a discontinuous sand body was to grid the entire area of interest and start drilling closely spaced holes. The grid pattern method is expensive and potentially hazardous. ists in the petroleum industry have developed techniques to predict the size, shape and orientation of subsurface sedimentary deposits by defining local environments of deposition of geologic materials within regional settings. Based on the depositional history of the paleochannel deposits empirical equations have been developed which allow for the calculation of channel depths as well as channel and meander belt widths. bining geostatistics (kriging), paleogeomorphic studies and probability techniques, a predictive model was developed which has application in both ground water investigations and in oil and gas exploration.