Refined Integration of Multilayer DEM-GTP-TEN for Three-Dimensional Quaternary Geological Modeling: A Case Study in Nantong City, China

Abstract

Refined three-dimensional (3D) Quaternary geological modeling can reveal the spatial and geological structures of strata from a 3D perspective, an essential subject in the current research in Quaternary geology and 3D GIS. The primary challenge in Quaternary geological modeling lies in the substantial discontinuity and heterogeneity of Quaternary strata, which have undergone multiple depositional events, resulting in complex and variable stratigraphic structures that are difficult to accurately model and analyze. Consequently, we have developed the MD-GTP-TEN hybrid modeling method, which integrates multi-layer DEM (MD), generalized prism (GTP), and tetrahedral mesh (TEN) elements to achieve refined 3-D modeling of the spatial structure and geological architecture of Quaternary strata. This study validated the accuracy of the model using geological parameters specific to Nantong City, a coastal region in eastern China. The research validation demonstrated an average error of 3.05m for strata burial depth and 2.42m for layer thickness, indicating that the model effectively reflects the spatial structure and geological architecture of Quaternary strata in the area. This confirms the reliability and accuracy of the model in a 3-D environment. Therefore, the MD-GTP-TEN hybrid modeling method can accurately simulate Quaternary strata, providing theoretical and technical support for the study of geological hazards such as landslides, debris flows, and ground subsidence.