3D Geological Modeling and Structural Analysis of Nantong City

Based on Borehole Data

Kang Liu*a, Yigang Li a, Yongsheng Chen b, Hongguang Li a, Yanyun Nan1a
a
National Earthquake Response Support Service, Beijing 100049, China;
b
CNBM Geological Engineering Exploration Academy Co., Ltd., Beijing 100102, China
*
Corresponding author: [email protected]

ABSTRACT

The author collected, organized, and analyzed typical borehole data in Nantong City and established a database for
borehole lithological stratification and stratigraphic sequence. With the help of typical borehole database and under the
stratigraphic sequence-structural framework, a 3D model of the Quaternary stratigraphic sequence-structural framework
of Nantong City is constructed via MVS and ArcGIS. The model includes layered contour maps and typical
lithostratigraphic profiles, enabling 3D geological modeling and visualization of Nantong City. The modeling results are
analyzed in conjunction with the findings of shallow seismic exploration, revealing the spatial distribution of major
stratigraphic interfaces and the spatial correspondence between the undulating morphology of the bottom interface and
the location of target faults.
Keywords: Borehole, Quaternary, 3D modelling, Structural analysis, Nantong region

1. INTRODUCTION
3D geological modeling is a fundamental task in underground geological research, such as 3D geological surveys, active
fault exploration, and deep geological studies. It is a new technology for information analysis and synthesis based on
data [1-5]. Compared to traditional 2D geological data representation methods, 3D models can accurately represent the
boundary conditions of complex geological phenomena and various geological structures within the geological body.
They intuitively depict the spatial distribution of geological units and their interrelationships, thereby maximizing the
intuitiveness and accuracy of geological analysis.
With the development of scientific visualization techniques, 3D visual geological modeling has gained attention since the
1990s. In recent years, domestic and foreign scholars have absorbed theories and technologies such as computer
visualization and graphic imaging to conduct research on the theory and methods of true three-dimensional geoscience
modeling. At the same time, scholars have conducted beneficial explorations in the expression and organization of
topological relationships among geological objects [6-10]. It should be noted that 3D visualization of geological modeling
and 3D geographic information systems are two high-tech fields that are currently developing in parallel within the field
of geosciences. The former focuses on the surface and interior of the Earth as the research object, while the latter focuses
on the Earth’s surface and its upper strata. The organic integration of these two constitutes a unified description and
representation of the entire Earth system.
The detection of urban active faults is a huge and complex systematic project, and the 3D geological modeling method
has gradually been applied to this work. The main problem currently exists is that the data source is relatively single and
the quantity is relatively sparse. In modeling methods based on borehole data, the high cost of borehole data collection
and sparse borehole distribution result in insufficient precision of the obtained 3D geological model. Therefore, using
only a single type of data for 3D geological modeling can lead to certain issues in the precision and reliability of the
model due to the accuracy or multiplicity of the data.
This paper starts from the common difficulties of drilling geological information processing and drilling data fine
interpolation in 3D geological modeling, and provides a set of 3D geological modeling processes with high modeling
efficiency, low modeling cost and difficulty, and complete model functions, providing important reference basis for
urban active fault detection work.

Second International Conference on Geographic Information and Remote Sensing Technology (GIRST 2023)
edited by Fabio Tosti, Muhammad Bilal, Proc. of SPIE Vol. 12797, 127970I
© 2023 SPIE · 0277-786X · doi: 10.1117/12.3007434

Proc. of SPIE Vol. 12797 127970I-1

 2. SOURCE OF BOREHOLE DATA
The existing borehole data in Nantong City mainly comes from hydrogeological surveys, engineering geological surveys,
and seismic safety assessments. Boreholes from engineering surveys and seismic safety assessment reports have
relatively shallow depths, generally not exceeding 100 meters, and can only reach the Qp3 stratum or even shallower
layers. These boreholes have limited reference value for establishing the 3D Quaternary stratigraphic sequence-structural
framework in the study area. The establishment of the 3D Quaternary stratigraphic sequence-structural framework of the
entire region relies on deep borehole data obtained from hydrogeological investigations and regional mapping.
In this paper, we collected, organized, and conducted preliminary analysis of borehole data from 100 sites in the Nantong
branch of Geo-engineering investigation institute of Jiangsu Province, 1:50,000 regional geological surveys, and
hydrogeological investigations. Among them, 89 representative boreholes were selected for 3D modeling and structural
analysis work (Figure 1).

Figure 1. Distribution map of boreholes in the study area.

3. 3D MODELING PROCESS
The author conducted the 3D geological modeling and visualization analysis based on ArcGIS and MVS. The basic
process of modeling includes the handling of fundamental data, the establishment of borehole databases, the generation
of 3D modeling data volumes, the generation of 2D mapping and profiles, as well as result analysis and output (Figure 2).
The main data table used for 3D modeling analysis is the borehole stratigraphic sequence data. The input and
stratigraphic sequence of borehole data are primarily conducted in Excel, while the calibration of borehole positions is
completed via ArcMap. By connecting the borehole base map data with geographic coordinates and the stratigraphic
sequence data, a borehole stratigraphic sequence data volume is formed, containing both geographic coordinates and
fundamental attribute parameters of the boreholes. This data volume can be outputted in the GEO data format of MVS,
enabling input into the MVS software for 3D modeling and analysis.
The results data obtained from MVS modeling can be imported into ArcMap for the reconstruction of stratigraphic
interfaces and the generation of 2D and 3D cross-sectional profiles. This method fully leverages the advantages of MVS’
3D Kriging interpolation algorithm, which takes into account the spatial superposition relationships and topological logic

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of different strata in 3D modeling. Through the combination of the stratigraphic interfaces generated by ArcMap
interpolation with the 3D enclosing profiles, it is possible to create displays of 3D geological bodies, stratigraphic
interfaces, and profiles in ArcScene, thereby reconstructing the model. Additionally, ArcMap is employed for the output
of 2D borehole distribution maps, profile location maps, and spatial distribution maps of stratigraphic interfaces, which
are used for 2D stratigraphic sequence-structural synthesis analysis.
The first step in MVS modeling is to form a proprietary format of borehole stratigraphic sequence data, including
borehole ID, elevation of the borehole mouth, depth, depth of each stratum, coordinates, etc. The processed data set is
imported into the MVS software to create spatial distribution points for the boreholes. These points have attributes such
as elevation and burial depth of each stratigraphic interface. In MVS, interpolation can be performed on the elevation or
a specific numerical attribute of these points to generate spatial surfaces of the ground and various stratigraphic
interfaces. After the generation of interpolated surfaces, a 3D stratigraphic sequence-structural framework model can be
created on the basis of geological interfaces, including 3D fitting of the surfaces, generation of 3D geological bodies, and
creation of cross-sections (Figure 3).

Figure 2. 3D geological modeling and analysis process.

Figure 3. Comprehensive display of Nantong 3D modeling results in MVS.

Compared to MVS, ArcGIS has advantages in displaying 2D maps. The enhancement of 3D functionality in ArcGIS
version 10 has also facilitated the construction of 3D models similar to those created in MVS within ArcScene.
Moreover, through the utilization of some extension tools in ArcGIS and certain function modules developed for this
project, it is also possible to conveniently perform 2D and 3D profile cutting, project boreholes onto 2D profiles, and
facilitate the analysis of Quaternary strata and structures based on modeling results.
In ArcMap, this paper employed extension modules and specially developed programs for generating geological body
enclosing interfaces and profiles. The generation of geological body enclosing interfaces and 3D profiles was
accomplished via the Slice3D plugin, which provides functionality for creating 2D and 3D profiles based on the burial

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depth data of stratigraphic interfaces and profile positions. The main purpose of this plugin is to create geological body
enclosing interfaces and 3D profiles through its 3D profile generation function (Figure 4).

Figure 4. Comprehensive display of Nantong 3D geological model in ArcScene.

4. ANALYSIS OF 3D MODELING RESULTS

Through the collection, compilation, and modeling analysis of borehole data in the study area, 3D models, 2D contour
maps, and cross-sectional profiles were constructed with the help of MVS and ArcGIS. Based on the modeling results,
this paper will analyze the relationship between the major Quaternary stratigraphic sequence interfaces and the target
faults.
4.1 Analysis of Quaternary sequence interfaces in the study area
In ArcMap, a contour map of Qh, Qp3, Qp2, Qp1 bottom interface burial depth was created by integrating 1:50000 basic
geospatial data and the interpolation results of the stratigraphic sequence interface in order to represent the undulations
of each bottom interface with different colors (Figures 5 to 8). The undulation characteristics of each stratum interface
are described as follows.

Figure 5. 3D display of Qh bottom interface. Figure 6. 3D display of Qp3 bottom interface.

Figure 7. 3D display of Qp2 bottom interface. Figure 8. 3D display of Qp1 bottom interface.
The absolute depth of the Qh bottom interface ranges from -10 meters to -58 meters, with a thickness of approximately
20 meters to 60 meters. Overall, it shows a SW-to-NE increasing depth trend. The areas of Wenfeng, Guanyinshan,
Chenqiao, Langshan, and the north side of Nantong Farm are uplifted regions, while the areas of Gongshan, Xiaohai, and
Xingren are relatively sunk regions. This variation may correspond to fluctuating deposition after the fourth late
Pleistocene transgression.

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The absolute depth of the Qp3 bottom interface ranges from -40 m to -200 m, with a thickness of approximately 20 m to
150 m. Overall, it shows a SW-to-NE increasing depth trend. The areas of Guanyinshan and Langshan are uplifted
regions, while the areas of Qinzao and the north side of Xingdong are relatively sunk regions. This variation may
correspond to fluctuating deposition after the third late Pleistocene transgression.
The absolute depth of the Qp2 bottom interface ranges from -43 m to -242 m, with a thickness of approximately 30 m to
100 m. Overall, it shows a SW-to-NE increasing depth trend. The areas of Langshan and Xingren are uplifted regions,
while the areas of Guanyinshan and the north side of Xingdong are relatively sunk regions. This variation may
correspond to fluctuating deposition after the second late Pleistocene transgression.
The absolute depth of the Qp1 bottom interface ranges from -45 m to -345 m, with a thickness of approximately 30 m to
120 m. Overall, it shows a SW-to-NE increasing depth trend. The area of Langshan is uplifted region, while the areas of
Chenqiao and the north side of Xingdong are relatively sunk regions. This variation may correspond to fluctuating
deposition after the first late Pleistocene transgression.
4.2 The correspondence between surface topography and target faults
Given the relatively weak activity of the faults in the study area, characterized by small displacements or possible slow
sliding, and influenced by sedimentary fluctuations, it is difficult to infer the relationship between fault activity and the
undulations of Quaternary stratigraphic interfaces alone. Therefore, in this analysis, we comprehensively consider the
work of shallow seismic exploration across faults. Based on the provided information on interface and profile
undulations in this study, combined with the latest results from shallow exploration profiles and fault interpretation, we
infer the relationship between the Tianshenggang fault (F1), Xingang-Xinkaigang fault (F2), Guanyinshan-Zhangzhishan
fault (F3), Henggang-Zhadong fault (F4), Guanyin Mountain-Yuxi fault (F5) and the undulations of stratigraphic
interfaces. The faults locations are shown in Figure 1.
The Tianshenggang-Langshan fault (F1) is a major fault in the study area. Based on the results of shallow seismic
exploration, the southern segment of the F1 intersects with the Quaternary bottom interface, which is particularly evident
along the Junshan profile. The undulations of the Qp1 and Qp2 bottom interfaces reveal the control exerted by the F1 on
the topography. This is manifested as discontinuous relatively uplifted areas along the eastern bank of the Yangtze River,
which may be the result of relative topographic difference formed during the activity of F1.
The Xingang-Xinkaigang fault (F2) is a secondary fault that is essentially parallel to F1. According to the results of
shallow artificial seismic exploration, there are four fault nodes of F2 that extend to the Quaternary bottom interface,
possibly divided into two segments. The undulations on the bottom interfaces of Qp1 and Qp2 reveal the control of F2 on
the topography, indicating that along the East line of Xinkai and Langshan, the terrain is higher in the west and lower in
the east, which may have resulted from relative topographic differences formed during the activity of F2.
The Guanyinshan-Zhangzhishan fault (F3) is also essentially parallel to F1. According to the results of shallow artificial
seismic exploration, there are three fault nodes of F3 that extend to the Quaternary bottom interface. The undulations on
the bottom interfaces of Qp1 and Qp2 reveal the control of F3 on the topography, indicating that along the line of
Guanyinshan and Xiaohai, the terrain is lower in the west and higher in the east, which may have resulted from relative
topographic differences formed during the activity of F3.
Henggang-Zhadong fault (F4) is a NE-trending fault that intersects with F1. Based on the results of shallow artificial
seismic detection, F4 has four obvious fault segments and may cut through the Quaternary bottom interface. The fault can
be seen in the geologic section taken across the fault. Particularly, at the interfaces of Qp1 and Qp3, there is a NW high-
SE low topography, possibly indicating the control by F4.
The display of the Guanyinshan-Yuxi fault (F5) on various stratigraphic interfaces is not evident, which is generally
consistent with the results of shallow artificial seismic detection.

5. CONCLUSION
The author collected, organized, and analyzed typical borehole data in the Nantong area, stratifies borehole lithology,
and establishes a database. Through the analysis of the 3D geological model, the bottom interface of Qh generally shows
a trend of increasing depth from southwest to northeast. The bottom interface of Qp3 generally exhibits a trend of higher
elevation in the southeast and lower elevation in the northwest. The bottom interface of Qp2 generally shows a trend of
increasing depth from southwest to northeast. The bottom interface of Qp1 generally demonstrates a trend of increasing

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depth from southwest to northeast. By integrating the shallow cross-fault artificial seismic detection profiles, on the basis
of the interface and profile undulations provided in this paper, and referring to the latest findings from shallow
exploration profiles and fault interpretations, the author inferred the relationship between the Tianshenggang-Langshan
fault (F1), Xingang-Xinkaigang fault (F2), Guanyinshan-Zhangzhishan fault (F3), Henggang-Zhadong fault (F4), Guanyin
Mountain-Yuxi fault (F5)and the undulations of geological interfaces.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This research was financially supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China (Grant No.
2021YFC3002104) and the Opening Foundation of Hebei Key Laboratory of Earthquake Dynamics (Grant No.
FZ212101).

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