Remote predictive mapping of Cretaceous sediments in the Cypress Hills area, Alberta, using terrain data acquired from aeromagnetic surveys

The use of radar altimeter and global positioning system (GPS) data combined with levelling techniques is a viable, effective, and cost-efficient method for the production of digital terrain models. Here we show the result of merging two different topographic datasets derived from two separate airborne magnetic surveys with varying control and sample density. The topographic data were then examined using slope analysis and differential gridding algorithms for lineament and contact edge mapping extraction. The contacts derived were subsequently used to derive a three-dimensional (3D) geological model of the area of study. The final model agrees with previous geological maps of the area and shows the potential of the utilization of topographic data for rapid production of a predictive geological map that could be tested by a number of preselected field verification points.

结合水准测量技术使用雷达高度计与全球定位系统（GPS）数据，是制作数字地形模型的一种可行、高效且经济的方法。本研究展示了融合两套不同地形数据集的结果：这两套数据集分别源自两次独立的航空磁测，二者的控制精度与采样密度均存在差异。随后，通过坡度分析与差分网格化算法对该地形数据开展处理，以提取线性构造与接触边界制图信息。所提取的接触带随后被用于构建研究区的三维（3D）地质模型。最终模型与该区域已有的地质图相吻合，同时证实了利用地形数据快速生成预测性地质图的可行性，该预测性地质图可通过若干预选野外验证点开展验证。