Automated identification of sedimentary structures in core images using object detection algorithms
Bibliographic record
Abstract
Manual interpretation of sedimentary structures in core-based analyses is critical for understanding subsurface geology but remains time-intensive, expert-dependent, and susceptible to bias. This study investigates the use of convolutional neural networks (CNNs) to automate structure identification in core images, focusing on siliciclastic deposits from deltaic, shoreface, fluvial, and lacustrine environments. Two object detection models-YOLOv4 and Faster R-CNN-were trained on annotated datasets comprising 15 sedimentary structure types. YOLOv4 achieved high precision (up to 95%) with faster training and shorter inference times (3.2 s/image) compared to Faster R-CNN (2.5 s/image) under consistent batch size and hardware conditions. Although Faster R-CNN reached a higher mean average precision (94.44%), it exhibited lower recall, particularly for frequently occurring structures. Both models faced challenges in distinguishing morphologically similar features, such as mud drapes and bioturbated media. Performance declined slightly in tests involving previously unseen datasets (Split III), indicating limitations in generalization across varied core imagery. Despite these challenges, the results demonstrate the promise of deep learning for streamlining core interpretation, reducing manual effort, and enhancing reproducibility. This study establishes a robust framework for advancing automated facies analysis in sedimentological research and geoscientific applications.
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How this classification was reachedexpand
Full frame machine prediction
Teacher imitationNot calibrated prevalence, not ground truth. Human validation pending. The Gemma side is a direct model label for every work in the frame, read from the title-only record. The Codex side is a classifier learned from the 10,348 direct Codex labels and calibrated to design-weighted sample rates; fields without enough sample support carry no Codex call. Candidate is the union of the two sides; consensus is their intersection. These outputs are machine_predicted_unvalidated and are not human labels.
Distilled classifier scores by category (both heads)
| Category | Codex | Gemma |
|---|---|---|
| Metaresearch | 0.001 | 0.001 |
| Meta-epidemiology (narrow) | 0.001 | 0.000 |
| Meta-epidemiology (broad) | 0.000 | 0.000 |
| Bibliometrics | 0.003 | 0.001 |
| Science and technology studies | 0.000 | 0.000 |
| Scholarly communication | 0.001 | 0.001 |
| Open science | 0.001 | 0.001 |
| Research integrity | 0.000 | 0.000 |
| Insufficient payload (model declined to judge) | 0.001 | 0.001 |
Machine scores (provisional)
The two teacher heads of the student model, read on this work. A score orders the frame for review; it never asserts a category, and the validation status ships verbatim with every row.
Baseline scores from an immature model (maturity gate not passed, 7 training rounds). Scores rank; they never assert a category.
score_only:v0-immature-baseline · verbatim from the scoring run: score_only means the number may rank works, and no category label ships from itClassification
machine, unvalidatedMachine predicted; a candidate call from one source (direct Gemma or distilled Codex), not a consensus.
How this classification was reached, model by model and score by score, is at the end of the page under "How this classification was reached".