How to model Dykes?

[d...@intrepid-geophysics.com]

A discussion about the means of modelling realistic dykes in your
geomodeller projects is under way. We thought it may be better to
share some of this discussion, instead of keeping it private.
To quote -
"I believe there must be something we can do. Though Gaby put some work
in for us on this, the solution is not ideal ( though we appreciate
Gabys
efforts). However I do not understand why we can not treat these dyke /
vein objects like faults but with a thickness component instead of just
an infinitely thin plane. If veins and dykes could be modelled in a
similar way to faults we would have a good solution. Surely this would
not be difficult if we can already build faults in this way."

Also, from the user meeting, there was also quite a bit of discussion
about needing dykes with magnetic properites, to properly pose an
inversion problem using observed magnetic data. Often, the dominant
magnetic material is in these very thin layers relative to the scale of
your project.
>From a development point of view, we are not in a position to do
anything just yet, but we need to gauge the interest in this issue.
Thanks
The development and support team.

[Laurent Ailleres]

Hi des,

Only my 2 cents,
I dont see any issues in modelling dykes as thick faults (isn't that
what dykes are? for a geophysicists at least? haha!) however the
thickness will have to be varied over the extent of the dyke. Maybe
this variation is a longer term goal... Now the possible mag.
alteration around the dyke could be modelled "a la" Noddy by defining a
width of influence around the dyke.
Thinner magnetic layers will have to also be modelled so that they
"exist" in the cube model prior to inversion, i.e. thickness of these
layers must be greater or = to cell size used during inversion. These
layers could be modelled as dykes... ? If the thickness becomes way too
big, then a composite mag sus/density has to be applied to these thin
magnetic units and you cant resolve them as well as expected because of
the scale.... It is all about compromise!!
Again, this is only my 2 cents...
Cheers
Laurent