A Geographic Information Systems (GIS)-Based Approach to Derivative Map Production and Visualizing Bedrock Topography within the Town of Rutland, Vermont, USA

Abstract

Many state and national geological surveys produce map products from surficial and bedrock geologic maps as a value-added deliverable for a variety of stakeholders. Improvements in powerful geostatistical exploratory tools and robust three-dimensional capabilities within geographic information systems (GIS) can facilitate the production of derivative products. In addition to providing access to geostatistical functions, many software packages are also capable of rendering three-dimensional visualizations using spatially distributed point data. A GIS-based approach using ESRI's ® Geostatistical Analyst ® was used to create derivative maps depicting surficial overburden, bedrock topography, and potentiometric surface using well data and bedrock exposures. This methodology describes the importance and relevance of creating three-dimensional visualizations in tandem with traditional two-dimensional map products. These 3D products are especially useful for town managers and planners-often unfamiliar with interpreting two-dimensional geologic map products-so they can better visualize and understand the relationships between surficial overburden and potential groundwater resources.

Exploration Of The Northern Illinois Bedrock Surface

“…In addition, the drilling of water wells is controlled by the needs of private citizens, larger community, and industry. City limits and other forms of infrastructure create an uneven and clustered spread of geologic data across a domain (Barnhardt, 2000;Chung and Rogers 2012;Van Hoesen ,2014…”

“…As such, elevation at unknown points can be modeled outside of the range of observed values (Olea, 1999;Davis, 2002). This inherent flexibility allows for the modeling of elevation and prediction of geologic surfaces that are not constrained by the bounds of the sample set (Chung and Rodgers, 2012;Van Hoesen, 2014).…”