In this workbook, we’ve covered a number of advanced geologic module topics. Let’s quickly review the important points:
When working with Geologic Hierarchical models it is important to:
Build accurate surfaces
Understand normal and reversed hierarchy
Decide between Kriging and (thin plate) splining
Make sure you honor the boring data
With Geologic Indictor Kriging, the quick method gives good quick results.
The Probabilistic kriging approach is more rigorous and should be investigated
Horizontal-Vertical Anisotropy can dramatically alter GIK models.
The best approach (when possible) is to try all methods and pick the most appropriate one for your data. Rigorous investigation of the geology of a site should generally include GIK in addition to hierarchical modeling (if appropriate).
If the resulting model shows clear evidence of layering it is a good indication that you should probably be using the hierarchical modeling approach instead!
In conclusion, for the 5 material complex geology data used in this workbook, the decision of which approach is best is perhaps a bit unclear. The greatest differences in the models are in areas where there is a lack of data. Perhaps the best conclusion we can draw about this data set is that it may be inadequate for some applications.
Ultimately a geologist familiar with the conditions at your site should help in the determination of modeling approach and settings. For other sites, the choice between the two approaches is often quite obvious, especially if hierarchical interpretation is too difficult or impossible.