Creating a 2D Isopach Model for a Selected Lithotype

RockWorks | Borehole Manager | Lithology | Isopach (2D)

Use this program to read an existing lithology solid model (an .RwMod file) and determine the uppermost and lowermost elevations for a selected lithology type in each vertical column of nodes in the input model.  The thickness of this interval - regardless of materials that lie between - will be stored for the corresponding node in the output grid model (.RwGrd file). A "null" value (-1.0e27) is assigned to any grid nodes that do not have a corresponding lithology within the original lithology block model.  The resulting isopach can be displayed as a 2D map.

! This tool requires that you've already created a lithology model (.RwMod file).
! This tool does not take into consideration any material types that lie between the uppermost and lowermost occurrences of the selected lithotype.

See also: Creating an Upper Surface Model, a Lower Surface Model, or a 3D Isopach for a Selected Lithotype

Feature Level: RockWorks Standard and higher

Menu Options
Step-by-Step Summary

Menu Options

• Lithology Model Name: Click on this item to browse for the name of the existing lithology model (.RwMod file) to be used as the basis for this isopach map.
   
• Lithologic Unit: Click here to select the name of the lithology material type for which you want to create the isopach map.  The list of materials you see here is pulled from the Lithology Types Table in the current project database.
   
• Output Grid: Click here to type in the name to assign the output grid that will be created, such as "sand_isopach.RwGrd".  This grid model's nodes will represent the total thickness of the selected lithology type in the existing model. 
   
• Diagram Options: Expand this heading to set up the 2D map layers (bitmap, symbols, labels, line contours, color-filled contours, labeled cells, and/or map border).
  • To activate a layer, insert a mark in its check-box.
  • To access the layer's settings, expand the item by clicking on its "+" button.  Then either click on the available button or expand the additional tree menu headings.
     

Step-by-Step Summary

1. Access the RockWorks Borehole Manager program tab. 
2. Be sure you've already created the lithology model (.RwMod file) to be used.
3. Select the Lithology | Isopach (2D) menu option. 
4. Enter the requested menu items, described above.
5. Click the Process button to continue. 

The program will determine the uppermost and lowermost elevations for the requested material in each vertical column of nodes in the input lithology model.  The difference between these elevation values (e.g. thickness) will be stored in the corresponding node in the output grid model.  Any locations for which there are no occurrences of the selected material, a null value will be assigned in the output grid.

The program will create the 2-dimensional image representing the grid model, using the requested map layers.  The requested diagram(s) will be displayed in a RockPlot2D tab in the Options window.  

! Note: The grid model that is generated, and the map which represents it, is based on all voxels from the uppermost occurrence of the designated lithology to the lowermost occurrence. This means that other lithologies may exist between these two surfaces.

6. You can adjust any of the modeling or diagram options in the pane to the left and then click the Process button again to regenerate the isopach map.

   ! Each time you click the Process button, the existing grid model and map display will be replaced. 

7. View / save / manipulate / export / print the diagram in the RockPlot2D  window. 
    

See also:

• Lithology Types Tables
• Creating Lithology Models
  
  

 Back to Lithology Menu Summary 

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