Creating Straight Stratigraphic Fence Diagrams (ESRI Shapefile)

RockWorks | Borehole Manager | Stratigraphy | Fence (3D Profiles) | ESRI Shape (Straight Line Correlations)

Use this program to create a 3D Shapefile representing stratigraphic fence panels, with straight-line correlations drawn between like formations in adjacent logs. No modeling is done. The stratigraphy layers on the panels will be assigned the name listed in the Stratigraphy Types Table.  The completed fence diagram will be saved in the project folder in an ESRI Shapefile format.

See also:
   Interpolated Stratigraphic Fence Diagrams (ESRI Shapefiles) for grid-based correlations
   Displaying Multiple Logs in 3D with Straight Stratigraphy Correlations for straight fences output to RockPlot3D
   What is a Hole to Hole Fence

Feature Level: RockWorks Standard and higher

Menu Options
Step-by-Step Instructions

Menu Options

• Output File: Click on this prompt to type in the name for the ESRI Shapefile (SHP) that will be created.  The accompanying DBF and SHX files will be assigned the same name. 
   
• Hang Section on Datum: Insert a check in this check-box if you want the fence panels to be built with a particular formation set to "0" elevation. All other data will be plotted relative to that interval.  Expand this heading to select the formation name.
  • Stratigraphic Unit: Click on this item, and the program will display the formations listed in the current Stratigraphy Types Table. Select the formation on which the fence is to be hung. (More.)
     
• Fence Selection Map: Click on the Fence Selection Map tab to the right, to draw where the fence panels are to be placed. The most recent panels drawn for this project will be displayed.  (More.)

  
  

• Rules and Filters: Use the settings on the far right side of the window to select the appropriate stratigraphic rules to apply to this diagram. (More.)

Step-by-Step Summary

1. Access the RockWorks Borehole Manager program tab. 
2. Enter/import your data into the Borehole Manager database. This tool specifically reads location, orientation (if any), and stratigraphy data.  You might also refer to the Missing Formations section regarding the best way to deal with including/not including absent formations.
3. Select the Stratigraphy | Fence (3D Profiles) | ESRI Shape (Straight Line Correlations) menu option.  
4. Enter the requested menu items, described above.
5. Be sure to click on the Fence Selection Map tab to select the fence panel locations.
6. Click on the Process button to create the Stratigraphy fence diagram.

The program will look at the coordinates specified for each fence panel, snap the endpoints to the closest borehole coordinate if necessary, and construct a vertical panel with linearly-correlated units to illustrate the stratigraphic elevations. This process will be repeated for each fence panel you drew.  The resulting data will be stored in three files in your project folder (SHP, SHX, and DBF). 

Tips: The resulting Shapefile can be added to ArcScene.  You can then use the Properties / Categories tools to display the formation layers as unique values and adjust their colors. Here's an example of stratigraphic fence panels displayed in ArcScene, along with stratigraphy logs (created with the File | Export | Stratigraphy Data -> SHP tool).

"ArcScene" is a trademark of ESRI Inc. 

 Back to Stratigraphy Menu Summary

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