RAISING THE PROFILE OF THE 3D APPROACH TO GEOLOGY – ACCESS AND VISUALISATION AS A KEY TO MODEL QUALITY AND USE

3D geological modelling is at the core of the British Geological Survey’s (BGS) strategy to deliver applied geoscience. Ensuring the quality, accessibility and interoperability of our models is a key challenge in developing their profile with our stakeholder communities.

A range of mechanisms exist to allow the visual inspection and interrogation of models and their derived outputs. These specialist tools, including the LithoFrame Viewer form a critical part of the model QA and deployment process. Recent developments using web systems have heightened the accessibility of geoscience information in the UK. Enabling access to models via browser-based applications has the potential to expose a broader range of stakeholders to the benefits of the 3D approach. In turn, this will result in greater model confidence through ‘citizen (geo)science’.

This presentation will introduce 3D at BGS, and show how the diverse range of modelling activities is addressing scientific, strategic and stakeholder-led objectives. The importance of access and visualisation throughout the modelling process (from baseline-data selection to model checking and delivery) will be discussed. The latest developments in web-enabled access to these models will be demonstrated.