Workshop on the Establishment of a Geological Model of ...
Workshop on the Establishment of a Geological Model of ...
Workshop on the Establishment of a Geological Model of ...
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CHAPTER 6<br />
INTEGRATION OF GEOPHYSICAL/GEOLOGICAL DATA FOR THE<br />
RESERVED AREAS OF THE CLARION‐CLIPPERTON ZONE: NEW<br />
PERSPECTIVES FROM CURRENT COMPILATION TECHNIQUES<br />
Lindsay Pars<strong>on</strong> and Alan Evans, Southampt<strong>on</strong> Oceanography Centre, United Kingdom<br />
Introducti<strong>on</strong><br />
This paper has been prepared to illustrate <strong>the</strong> range <strong>of</strong> data types and c<strong>on</strong>siderati<strong>on</strong>s required when<br />
preparing a data syn<strong>the</strong>sis appropriate to <strong>the</strong> development <strong>of</strong> a geological model for <strong>the</strong> Clari<strong>on</strong>‐Clippert<strong>on</strong><br />
Regi<strong>on</strong> (CCR). It is not exhaustive, but by way <strong>of</strong> an introducti<strong>on</strong>, it points <strong>the</strong> way forward to a methodology<br />
and strategy for obtaining <strong>the</strong> base geological c<strong>on</strong>text within which a model <strong>of</strong> deep seabed polymetallic<br />
nodule resources could be readily developed.<br />
Integrati<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> data types<br />
We <strong>of</strong>fer a review <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> first order, that is, directly applicable datasets to <strong>the</strong> development <strong>of</strong> a<br />
geological model. Additi<strong>on</strong>al and equally relevant data and compilati<strong>on</strong>s will be c<strong>on</strong>sidered below, but in less<br />
detail. Some general comments would be useful which apply to all datasets to be c<strong>on</strong>sidered:<br />
Analogue and/or digital data<br />
It should be recognized that, in practice, it will be necessary to review <strong>the</strong> importance and suitability <strong>of</strong><br />
both analogue as well as digital data. In many cases, older records provide <strong>the</strong> <strong>on</strong>ly c<strong>on</strong>trol <strong>on</strong> our<br />
understanding <strong>of</strong> this enormous study area. Providing certain parameters to <strong>the</strong> data are acceptable in<br />
quality (such as navigati<strong>on</strong> accuracy, for example), <strong>the</strong>se data should be c<strong>on</strong>sidered. There is no reas<strong>on</strong> why<br />
paper record data, for instance, if appropriately quality c<strong>on</strong>trolled, should not c<strong>on</strong>tribute to <strong>the</strong> syn<strong>the</strong>sis. A<br />
chart or even an interpretati<strong>on</strong> figure from a publicati<strong>on</strong> can be scanned and geo‐referenced so that it can be<br />
integrated into a data syn<strong>the</strong>sis/analysis. We should be aware that much <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> highly relevant early data<br />
which we know to have existed (such as from enterprises in <strong>the</strong> 1970s) may be effectively ‘lost’.<br />
It is also essential that any model developed remain flexible and adaptable. The very nature <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
research process will dictate that <strong>the</strong> model will have to be organic. It is necessary for <strong>the</strong> result to be flexible<br />
in approach. Several iterati<strong>on</strong>s <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> model or syn<strong>the</strong>sis will be expected; for instance, <strong>the</strong> distinguished<br />
group <strong>of</strong> scientists ga<strong>the</strong>red at <strong>the</strong> Authority from 13 to 17 January 2003 will not get it completely right, nor is<br />
it likely that <strong>the</strong> May 2003 workshop will achieve a final product, so adaptability is an important character <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> model to be c<strong>on</strong>sidered.<br />
The model will have to be multi‐scalar. The area we are dealing with is huge ‐ in excess <strong>of</strong> 10 milli<strong>on</strong><br />
square kilometres ‐ so an approach should be arrived at <strong>on</strong> different scales. As elegantly dem<strong>on</strong>strated by Dr.<br />
Kodagali in his accompanying paper <strong>on</strong> nested scale investigati<strong>on</strong>s in <strong>the</strong> Central Indian Basin, we should<br />
recognize that different data type inputs relate to different scale <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> processes we wish to c<strong>on</strong>sider within<br />
<strong>the</strong> model (e.g., multi‐channel seismic reflecti<strong>on</strong> seismic pr<strong>of</strong>iler data is applicable to aspects <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> model<br />
related to scales <strong>of</strong> tens to thousands <strong>of</strong> kilometres, in c<strong>on</strong>trast with bottom photography’s relevance to<br />
around 0.01 kilometre process). The model will also have to c<strong>on</strong>sider temporal/spatial variability and related<br />
parameters.<br />
The model will have to be easy to use and accessible. The ability to operate, update and modify <strong>the</strong><br />
syn<strong>the</strong>sis/model is paramount, al<strong>on</strong>g with <strong>the</strong> need for ease <strong>of</strong> interrogati<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> model. It cannot be <strong>on</strong>ly<br />
for a computer nerd to drive <strong>the</strong> bus ‐ and it should be accessible to as wide a community as possible, in<br />
order that people feel a sense <strong>of</strong> ownership to it. I shall return to some ideas <strong>on</strong> this later ‐ but we should<br />
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