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VIRUES OF 3D GIS IN MAPPING EARTH SURFACE & SUBSURFACE GEOLOGICAL SYSTEM /

PROCESS

C.J.KUMANAN

1, J. SARAVANAVEL

2, K. PALANIVEL

3

1 Professor & Head, Centre for Remote Sensing

2 & 3Assistant Professors, Centre for Remote Sensing

Bharathidasan University, Khajamalai Campus, Tiruchirappalli - 620 023, Tamil Nadu, India

Email: cersbard@yahoo.co.in

Abstract:

The Geomatics technology comprising of Remote Sensing,

GIS, Digital Photogrammetry, GPS, etc. have enormous

virtues and avenues in mapping and modeling the earth

surface and subsurface geological process / system. In the

various geomatics tools, the GIS has got advanced virtues

not only in storing, manipulating and modeling huge

amount of spatial and non spatial data leading to effective

decision making but also has advanced credentials of

creating 3D visualized images on surface and subsurface

geological parameters using 3D Analyst tool in ArcGIS

which aids in precise mapping of natural resources,

environmental systems, natural disasters, etc. The present

paper briefly discuss the efficiency of such 3D visualization

in terrain analysis, lineament / land stability mapping,

visualization of basement structures, visualization of

spatio-temporal variations of groundwater systems,

concept of shaded relief mapping, wrapping of FCC satellite

data over the DEM, etc.

About the Author:

Dr. C.J.Kumanan, Ph. D., Professor and Head of the

Centre for Remote Sensing, Bharathidasan

University, Tiruchirappalli specialized in the fields of

Remote Sensing and GIS for Mineral and Water

Resources, Structure and Tectonics, Geomorphology

and Ecosystem, Natural Disasters and Spatial

Decision Support System was initially associated

with Geological Survey of India for over two

decades and carried out intensive systematic

geological mapping in divergent geological

provinces in India and organized various training

programmes at GSI Training Institute. Having a lot

of involvement in both R&D programmes

numbering 20 in the form of sponsored research

projects as well as in innovative academic and

extension programmes, he has Co-authored 3

books and more than 90 research papers in referred

journals, edited volumes and conference

proceedings of both national and international

levels. He has been active member of many

International and national working groups / science

councils. Considering his credentials, Bharathidasan

University offered him various capacities both in

the Academic, such as Co-ordinator of UGC

Orientation Course for University Faculties, as well

as in the Administration, such as Campus Director,

Technical Officer to Vice-Chancellor.

E mail ID: cjkcers@gmail.com

Contact Nos: +91 – 431 2331667 (O),

09443841583 (H.P.)

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Introduction

The study of surface and subsurface geological system and their dynamics has become extremely important as the same only

controls the natural resources (mineral, oil, water, etc.), environment / ecosystems (hill, plain, riverine, coastal, aeolian, etc.,)

and natural disasters (earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides, tsunami, flood, etc.). So, not only the earth scientists from all

over the world, but also scientists from other disciplines have started paying more attention in mapping the same. This has

obviously driven the scientific community to invent more and more newer tools for such mapping. The present paper deals with

certain newer concepts and virtues available in GIS technology for mapping the Earth systems and their dynamics.

Virtues of 3D GIS

Mapping Terrain Parameters

The development of Remote sensing technology in recent years provides enormous dataset on earth topography. Initially it

starts with data received from the Shuttle Radar Topographic Mission (SRTM data). The globally free available SRTM data with 90

m resolution made a major revolution in mapping the earth terrain parameters like topography, slope, vertical profile, etc.

Further, in the recent years, the Cartosat stereo images and LIDAR technology, etc., have provided the very finer resolution

topographic data with one meter to 10 m resolution. These terrain parameters obtained from DEM/DTM play a vital role in

mapping the fracture / fault mapping, land stability mapping, land ocean interactive phenomena especially in predicting the sea

level rise and analyzing their impact, etc. For example:-

� The mapping of fractures / faults using SRTM based Shaded relief image and FCC warped DEM are more precise

and easy to map these features owing to its topographic irregularities. The Fig.1&2 shows the how lineaments

(fracture/faults) were mapped from the SRTM data and FCC wrapped DEM using 3D Analyst tools of ArcGIS for

seismotectonic studies.

Fig. 1 SRTM based shaded relief image shows the faults /

fractures in Chitteri and Kalrayan hills

Fig. 2 FCC wrapped over SRTM DEM shows the

Palaghat Graben

� The mapping of structures and trend line using SRTM based Shaded relief image under 3D GIS environment

(Fig.3)

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� The SRTM and Cartosat DEM used under 3D GIS environment for visualizing the predicted sea level rise (Fig.4).

The same has been done by analyzing the tide gauge data and IPCC (Inter Govermental panal for Climate

Change) estimated predicted sea level rise data

Fig.3 Mapping of Kadavur structure using

SRTM based shaded relief image

Fig. 4 Visualization Predicted sea level rise in 2100 AD

The above examples explained the role of 3D GIS in mapping terrain parameters. This 3D has got wide range of applications in

natural resources and natural disaster mapping and mitigation.

Mapping of Subsurface Parameters by 3D Visualization of Geophysical data sets

Analysis of Gravity data

Such GIS based 3D visualization done by giving gravity values (m gal) as z is an

excellent tool in understanding the gravity highs and lows. One such 3D GIS

image generated from gravity data for South India for Mangalore – Chennai –

Cape Comorin triangle using 3D Analyst tools of ArcGIS is shown in Figure 5.

From this 3D visualized gravity data, gravity maxima in between Mangalore and

Chennai, alternate NE – SW gravity highs and lows in Coimbatore region and

prominent gravity high in coastal region, south of Chennai could be visibly seen

/ interpreted. From such 3D visualized images, basement structures, tectonics

and seismotectonic models, etc., can be developed.

Analysis of Resistivity data

Similarly, the resistivity data at 50m depth were visualized for the part of northern Tamil Nadu. And from the same, subsurface

faults, domes, basins, etc. identified under 3D GIS environment (Fig.6). The visualization of subsurface structures are important

for groundwater and oil exploration studies

Fig. 5 3D GIS Image of Gravity

Variation in South India

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Similar type of analysis can be carried out using any

geophysical dataset like gravity, magnetic, seismic, resistivity,

etc. This type of 3D visualization enhance the perception and

more helpful to define the boundaries of subsurface

structures.

3D Visualization of Groundwater levels and its

movements

The visualization of groundwater levels in 3D Analyst tools in

ArcGIS environment are useful in delineating favourable

areas for artificial recharge and to understand the

groundwater exploitation status (Fig.7).

Conclusion

The GIS based 3D visualizations have very advanced potentials in mapping surface and sub surface geological system/process.

The above examples clearly explained the role of 3D GIS in various domains. If this technology is used with high precision data,

many models can be developed on Geosystem dynamics and further this will lead to the mapping of natural resources,

environment, natural disasters, etc. more precisely.

References:

1. Ramasamy, SM., Kumanan, C.J., Neelakantan, R., Saravnavel, J., and Anandan, C. 2004. Geospatial Technology in Natural

Disaster Management. GIS@Development Newsletter, Vol4, Issue 10, pp.16-18.

2. Ramasamy, SM., Kumanan, C.J., Saravanavel, J. and Selvakumar, R. GIS based 3D Visualisation – A new tool in Mapping

Earth System Mapping. 2005. Geospatial Technology for Developmental Planning, Allied Publishers, Chemnai, pp.131-

137 Edited Book. ISBN No. 81-7764-873-X.

Fig. 6 Visualization of subsurface structures using

resistivity data under 3D GIS environment

Fig. 7 3D Visualized GIS Image of Groundwater Levels for parts of

Western Ghats, Tamil Nadu

BasinDome

s Dome

Basin

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3. SM.Ramasamy, C.J. Kumanan, S.Mahalingam and N. Nagappan. 2007. GIS based visualization of groundwater level and

its significance. Journal of Geomatics, Vol.1, No.1, pp. 17-22, ISSN0976-1330.

4. Arafat Mohammed, K. Palanivel, C.J. Kumanan. 2010. Significations of Surface Lineaments for Gas and Oil Exploration in

part of Sabatayn Basin – Yemen. Journal of Geography and Geology, Vol-2, No.1, Pp 119-128. ISSN 1916 – 9779.

5. SM.Ramasamy, C.J. Kumanan, J. Saravanavel, A.S. Rajawat V.Tamilarasan. 2011. Geomatics Based analysis of Predicted

Sea Level Rise and its Impacts in Parts of Tamil Nadu Coast, India. Ind. Jour. Rem. Sen. Photonirvachak, Vol. 38, issue-4;

pp.640-653, ISSN-0255-660.