A method for producing 3-d geometric and parameter models of saturated cave systems with a discussion of applications

Todd R. Kincaid, University of Wyoming, Geology & Geophysics
Published in: Ground water flow and contaminant transport in carbonate aquifers, Sasowsky, I.D. and Wicks, C.M. (eds.), A.A. Balkema, Rotterdam, 1999.

ABSTRACT - Return to Title Page
A method is presented for producing interactive three-dimensional geometric and parameter models of saturated cave systems from survey data. Two and three-dimensional gridding is used to construct the outer surface of the caves and to describe the spatial distribution of a measured parameter throughout the modeled cave system. Three computer programs are described that convert survey data into Cartesian coordinates that are used to produce two and three-dimensional gridded data files. The three-dimensional models are produced from the gridded data with Dynamic Graphics' EarthVision modeling software.

The three-dimensional cave models visually convey the morphology of a conduit system in as much detail as was recorded by the survey. The EarthVision software allows multiple data sets to be incorporated into a single model from which correlations can be made between conduit morphology and various other types of hydrogeologic data such as topography, water table elevation, overburden thickness, stratigraphy, structure, etc. The parameter modeling feature will contour and display any type of discrete data measured throughout a cave system such as temperature, water velocity, pH, dissolved oxygen, and ion concentrations. Cave volumes and consequently dissolution porosities are calculated from the cave model. Examples are provided of five models developed for saturated caves in the Taurus Mountain and Antalya travertine aquifers of southern Turkey and the Floridan aquifer of north Florida.