3D stochastic modeling framework for Quaternary sediments using multiple-point statistics: A case study in Minjiang Estuary area, southeast China

Multiple-point statistics (MPS) has shown promise in representing complicated subsurface structures, such as the sedimentary system. The Quaternary sedimentary system possesses prominent anisotropy characteristics. For a practical three-dimensional (3D) application, therefore, the critical challenges come not only from the difficulty of obtaining credible 3D training images, but also from the serious non-stationarity. Moreover, MPS-based simulations are usually performed on a regular Cartesian grid so that they cannot realistically reflect the actual shape and distribution of geological structures. In our work, an integrated MPS-based 3D modeling framework is presented by incorporating the characteristics of Quaternary sediments and the datasets obtained from geological exploration. The framework is embedded into a 3D modeling grid to achieve more precise visualization for the subsurface structures. Following the proposed workflow, we perform the 3D modeling practices for Quaternary sedimentary facies and Quaternary stratigraphic structures by using the datasets from a Quaternary geological survey project at a southeast coastal city in China. The multiple-scale models are constructed by performing the MPS simulations which take into account the constraints of structural conditions. The application verifies the rationality and applicability of the presented workflow where the various structural features are integrated into a unified 3D model to achieve a more realistic characterization.