Initiating transformative geoscience practice at the Geological Survey of Canada: Canada in 3D

Application of 3D technologies to the wide range of Geosciences knowledge domains is well underway. These have been operationalized in workflows of the hydrocarbon sector for a half-century, and now in mining for over two decades. In Geosciences, algorithms, structured workflows and data integration strategies can support compelling Earth models, however challenges remain to meet the standards of geological plausibility required for most geoscientific studies. There is also missing links in the institutional information infrastructure supporting operational multi-scale 3D data and model development. Canada in 3D (C3D) is a vision and road map for transforming the Geological Survey of Canada's (GSC) work practice by leveraging emerging 3D technologies. Primarily the transformation from 2D geological mapping, to a well-structured 3D modelling practice that is both data-driven and knowledge-driven. It is tempting to imagine that advanced 3D computational methods, coupled with Artificial Intelligence and Big Data tools will automate the bulk of this process. To effectively apply these methods there is a need, however, for data to be in a well-organized, classified, georeferenced (3D) format embedded with key information, such as spatial-temporal relations, and earth process knowledge. Another key challenge for C3D is the relative infancy of 3D geoscience technologies for geological inference and 3D modelling using sparse and heterogeneous regional geoscience information, while preserving the insights and expertise of geoscientists maintaining scientific integrity of digital products. In most geological surveys, there remains considerable educational and operational challenges to achieve this balance of digital automation and expert knowledge. Emerging from the last two decades of research are more efficient workflows, transitioning from cumbersome, explicit (manual) to reproducible implicit semi-automated methods. They are characterized by integrated and iterative, forward and reverse geophysical modelling, coupled with stratigraphic and structural approaches. The full impact of research and development with these 3D tools, geophysical-geological integration and simulation approaches is perhaps unpredictable, but the expectation is that they will produce predictive, instructive models of Canada's geology that will be used to educate, prioritize and influence sustainable policy for stewarding our natural resources. On the horizon are 3D geological modelling methods spanning the gulf between local and frontier or green-fields, as well as deep crustal characterization. These are key components of mineral systems understanding, integrated and coupled hydrological modelling and energy transition applications, e.g. carbon sequestration, in-situ hydrogen mining, and geothermal exploration. Presented are some case study examples at a range of scales from our efforts in C3D.

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