Industry software enhances field mapping training

Midland Valley, have launched a new Field Mapping Training and Support Initiative to enhance core skills development through the application of industry software to classical field training. Twelve Universities to receive software package worth over £400,000 each.

Many newly qualified geologists lack core skills, such as 3D visualisation and the ability to think in the 4th dimension. These skills are often developed during extensive field mapping training, but with decreased funding universities are cutting back on field mapping creating a training challenge and a recruitment skills gap. To help universities tackle this challenge Midland Valley have introduced their Field Mapping Training and Support Initiative to bring key mapping skills into a 21st century context using their cutting edge industry software to aid visualisation and data interpretation. The initiative provides participant universities1 with Midland Valley software for use in conjunction with mapping classes, and support for staff training and development.

3D model combining field data with visualisation

Through discussion on Geotectonics (the structural and tectonic geology e-forum), universities worldwide were invited to submit proposals to Alan Gibbs of Midland Valley outlining how they could use the Midland Valley structural modelling toolkit to enhance teaching of mapping and visualisation skills. On the basis of the proposals Alan selected 12 departments to receive support* through the initiative. Alan outlined his vision for the project saying:

“Core field skills need to be taught in the old fashioned way… but modern technologies can be used to assist visualisation and analysis of topographic data in 3D-space giving students a much more flexible environment for interpretation. Midland Valley’s software provides the user with the ability to build cross-sections, analyse stereographic data and validate geometries in 2D and 3D. We know from our own experience, as well as that of our industry clients, that this can help accelerate learning and skills development to progress from observation through mapping to 3D model building - an essential industry skill”     
Alan Gibbs, Midland Valley

The initiative was launched in January with software training at Midland Valley’s Glasgow headquarters. Practical sessions with the software, 2DMove, 3DMove and 4DMove were interspersed with discussion on the application to field teaching. If the initiative is successful, Midland Valley will work with participants to publish the outcomes of the project with a view to securing funding so that it can be offered more widely to the academic community.

Praise for the initiative by academics has been echoed in industry. John Dewey, Professor of Geology at UC Davis said;
 
“Your mapping initiative with Midland Valley is profoundly important. The future of serious geological mapping lies in a blend of classic techniques, GPS, satellite imagery, and software…”
John F. Dewey. Professor of Geology, UC Davis

Whilst Ian Sharp from StatoilHydro highlighted the value to industry:

“Industry perspective is clear - the skill to visualise, think and sketch models in 3D gained from field work is absolutely invaluable - if you don't have this then it does not matter how good you are at producing nice attribute images from seismic "if you do not know what you are looking for… you can not find it".
Ian Sharp, Chief Researcher Geology, StatoilHydro

*The first member universities of the initiative are:

• The University of Portsmouth,
• The University of Birmingham,
• Free University of Amsterdam,
• University of Milan,
• University of Milan Bicocca,
• University of Utrecht,
• Missouri University of Science and Technology,
• University of Urbino,
• Delft University of Technology,
• The University of Aberdeen,
• The University of Glasgow,
• University of Sydney

For more information or to help support the university field mapping training contact us