3D geological model with topography

3D Model

This 3D topographic model was constructed from an original hand-made plaster model. The scale is 1:25,000 and the contour interval is 100 metres. This initial view is looking aproximately NNE. The block represents an area of ~7.6×5.7 kilometres.

Geological boundaries have been added to the model to demonstrate the interaction between topography and geological surfaces of different attitude (orientation). Surfaces such as the horizontal layers here, form outcrop patterns that parallel the contours. In contrast, vertical features like the dolerite dyke are unaffected by topography ad form a linear outcrop pattern (often called ‘tramline geology’). Surfaces oriantated at other angles are variably affected. The example here is the fault surface in this case dips to the east and forms a v-shaped outcrop patterns in the valleys that ‘v’ in the same direction as the dip of the fault.