Visible Geology Modelling Tool, Otari School, Southend Field Trip
Geology Made Visible!
Visible Geology is a truly awesome programme that has been created by a company called Seequent that uses clever software to visualise and understand subsurface geology. It is a free easy to use educational tool for making geological block models that include strata, faults, folds, dikes, plutons, unconformities etc.
Interpreting how the surface configuration of geological features across an irregular topography translates into a 3 dimensional subsurface layout is one of the hardest things for geology students to get their heads around. It is an essential skill though if you want to unravel the geological history of an area or predict where geological resources lie buried out of sight below ground.
Just to give you a taste of the educational potential of this programme, here is a sequence of images of a block model that I created easily in a few minutes:
First I started with some horizontal strata, specifying their thicknesses and colours, and then created a topography by raising and lowering different parts of the top surface of the block:
Then I added some folding:
Then a dike, adjusting the thickness and orientation to suit:
Then I tilted the whole sequence backwards a bit:
Followed by adding a fault, adjusting the throw and orientation:
Then I added some unconformable (horizontal) beds at the top:
And finally I offset the beds again with another fault, cross-cutting the first one at about a right angle:
As you can see from the above image, all the steps made to create the model are displayed as a history. It allows you to edit any of the steps and even re-order them to instantly see the changes appearing on your model. For me this is just SO COOL!
There are infinite possibilities for creating models and altering the topography to see the relationship between surface and subsurface features:
On top of creating these models, the programme allows you to annotate them at any location with automated dips and strikes. You can then display the structural features on a 2D net or stereogram.
Oh - did I mention that you can also create a drill core from anywhere in your model at any angle, and also create a cross section slicing across it?
I had the privilege of being shown the features of the Visible Geology programme by Rachel Murtagh who has been a key person involved with its creation. We recorded the sessions and put them on the Out There Learning YouTube channel. The first goes over how to create your model:
The second one shows you how to use the more advanced features including the stereogram tool:
This is the link again so you can have a go: https://beta.visiblegeology.com/ Remember it is totally free, and Rachel is keen for feedback whilst they are still developing the programme to make it as useful as possible . You can give feedback here.
Working with Schools:
Otari School, Wellington:
I visited Otari School last week, running geology sessions with all of the pupils (from year 1 to year 8s) over two full days. I also joined the teachers for an earth science curriculum planning meeting, looking ahead to 2024. Otari School is very interesting as it covers three approaches to education - mainstream, Montessori and Māori immersion.
In my class sessions I covered the basics of geology, rocks and fossils as well as earthquakes and landforms. A great bunch of kids with lots of questions and enthusiasm.
Southend School Carterton
This week I revisited Patuna Chasm (click here for last newsletter describing a previous trip ), this time with Southend School, including 49 pupils and 13 adults. Another great experience to learn about how the limestone was formed (from its shell fossil content), then how it was uplifted by earthquakes and eroded into the gorge.
Here are a few photos to share the atmosphere: