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Geological and biological archives showing an annually laminated internal structure are currently top priority in palaeoclimate research, as they are recognized as very high-resolution archives of environmental change. Also, the annual origin of laminations can be validated by absolute age dating or by using instrumental data for the most recent period. Microscopic laminae may span several hundreds to thousands of years and frequently reveal a high degree of internal growth variability. Quantitative examination of laminations using transmitted-light or epifluorescence microscopy is thus a tedious task and may be partly automated. We developed a software (WinGeol Lamination Tool) using C'/'/ capable of semi-automatically detecting and measuring individual lamina thicknesses in archives showing large internal growth variability. The Lamination Tool enables the operator to efficiently and quantitatively examine laminae down to the micron scale and it was successfully tested on a variety of annually banded samples.

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WinGeol's FaultTrace is a software tool assisting in semi-automatic structural geological mapping of faults and bedding planes. Digital elevation models-such as, for instance, SRTM or ALOS data-are used in combination with satellite imagery for a first structural geological assessment without the requirement of being at the site. Therefore, it is well suited for inaccessible terrain. Borehole data, geological and seismic profiles can be displayed to support the mapping process. Plane elements can be assigned to single as well as to more complex composite geological structures. Moreover, previously mapped data can be densified by interpolation, which is useful to enhance the mapping quality. The tool aims to provide a virtual environment allowing for fast-track and optimized data generation for 3D geological models. The functionality of FaultTrace is demonstrated in two different case studies: The Richât Structure in Mauritania shows relatively planar fault structures within low-relief topography; the Vineh Structure in Iran shows a complex folding in high mountainous terrain. The studies discuss which structural geological settings let expect a satisfying performance of FaultTrace, and what factors limit the achievement of meaningful results. For the most part, the findings are independent of FaultTrace and, thus, valid for similar software tools.

<p>Theoretically, analysis of digital elevation data and remote sensing images allows for convenient mapping of geological settings. Using computer tools, geometric plane elements can be joined with elevation and image data to map structures in 3D. <br>One disadvantage is that single geometric elements are processed consecutively, even if belonging to the same structure. Only in rare cases, it is possible to trace a geological structure in its entirety without gaps; moreover, various uncertainties during the mapping process (caused, e.g., by erosion or vegetation coverage) may let elements appear isolated or distorted. Therefore, creating an entirely consistent numerical model of a particular geological setting is highly time-consuming, usually cost-intensive, and – to some extent – error-prone.<br>We extended the existing 3D geological mapping tool FaultTrace (a module of TerraMath WinGeol) to allow for simultaneous processing of larger and more significant structural segments of faults and bedding planes. Geometric elements can influence each other now and the usage of optional time tables associated with the mapped structures helps to analyze more complex settings.  <br>The workflow is demonstrated using the example of the Richât Structure in the Sahara Desert of Mauritania.</p>