NURBS-based 3D graphical modeling and visualization of geological structures

3D computer modeling and visualization of geological structures is currently a topical research area. Most of common methods to be able to reconstruct 3D geological models require enough raw data and storage space. But in fact the known data sets are discrete and sparse. This paper presents a novel approach to modeling geological structures in 3D with all data from investigations and interpretations. NURBS technique is improved to build the VisualGeo system as 3D geological modeling environment. Following the object-oriented and classified modeling method, all kinds of geological structures could be simulated and the whole 3D geological model was set up systematically by graphical operations and texture mapping. Finally an example was given to display the constructed models and some visualizations of geologic analysis. The successful application and popularization in practice of the system indicate that it will have much applied importance.