OR/14/050 Model limitations
| Monaghan, A A. 2014. Model metadata report for BGS - DECC shale study model, central and eastern Midland Valley of Scotland. British Geological Survey Internal Report, OR/14/050. |
The main limitations of the regional-scale model are the exclusion of numerous faults with throws less than a few hundred metres (approx. 700–1000 ft), the lack of mapped surfaces for volcanic units and igneous intrusions, and the large uncertainties on the interpretation of the base Gullane unit and base West Lothian Oil-Shale unit surfaces resulting from lack of data/poor quality seismic data.
Monaghan (2014)[1] gives further detail on these three aspects.
An additional limitation included the simplification of faults as planar structures. Seismic data indicate greater complexity (varying dip, curved structures etc) but do not provide enough constraint to adequately construct a model of a complex structure.
It should also be noted that where there are both seismic and projected mining data constraints the GOCAD® surface takes both into account, but does not fit either exactly, representing the similar levels of uncertainty in these datasets.
Comparison with previously modelled surfaces for the base Coal Measures and base Carboniferous (Monaghan, 2013)[2] highlighted that edits are required to maintain consistency with the DECC model.
References
- ↑ MONAGHAN, A A. 2014. The Carboniferous shales of the Midland Valley of Scotland: geology and resource estimation. British Geological Survey for Department of Energy and Climate Change, London, UK.
- ↑ MONAGHAN, A A. 2013. Model metadata report for the Midland Valley of Scotland Regional Model 2012/13. British Geological Survey Internal Report, IR/13/013. 34pp.