GRASS

GRASS GIS generates three-dimensional geological models from photo-geological and aerial-photograph data to support geological and structural analyses and preliminary reservoir evaluation.

Key Features:

• Geospatial data management, image processing, spatial modeling, and visualization: Provides geospatial data management, image processing, graphics/maps production, spatial modeling, and visualization capabilities for geological analysis.
• 3D Geological Modeling: Creates detailed three-dimensional geological models from photo-geological data.
• Photo-Geological Mapping: Interprets aerial photographs to produce photo-geological maps used as inputs for 3D modeling.
• Python scripting and GNU‑Linux integration: Supports Python scripting within GNU‑Linux environments to automate and customize processing workflows.

Scientific Applications:

• Umbria case study: The methodology has been applied and tested in a 15 km² area in Umbria, central Italy.
• Addressing field-data limitations: Uses aerial-photograph–derived data to mitigate accessibility constraints and the sporadic nature of field-collected geological data.
• Geological and structural analyses: Enables study of geological formations and structural features using 3D models.
• Preliminary reservoir evaluation: Aids preliminary assessment of subsurface reservoir viability.

Methodology:

Interpreting aerial photographs to generate photo-geological maps and building three-dimensional geological models from photo-geological data, with processing performed using Python scripting on GNU‑Linux.