Applications of digital methodology to the NATMAP Shield Margin Project

The NATMAP Shield Margin Project, which began in 1991, straddles the Manito ba-Saskatchewan border and studied a rectangular area with east-west and no rth-south extents of approximately 250 and 150 km, respectively. Among the principal objectives of the NATMAP program were a compilation of a digital geoscience database for the study area and development of digital methodolo gy to build this database and its utilization to aid in reaching the geolog ical goals of the project. It was anticipated that these initiatives would encourage integrated interpretation of data, improve the effectiveness of t he geological mapping process, and accelerate publication of results. One o f the keys to effectively applying digital methods to a geological mapping project is maintaining data in digital form throughout the project, from th e field through to publication. Transcription errors are eliminated and the production of both preliminary and final maps and digital products is acce lerated. Access to digital data also facilitates application of digital too ls for analysis and visualization. Integrated image products generated from geophysical and geological data sets were used throughout the project and assisted in development of geological models and their visualization. Three -dimensional visualization methods were used to combine NATMAP surface and subsurface mapping with Lithoprobe interpretations of seismic reflection da ta. The digital database was used to prepare a digital archive of the proje ct which will be published in CD-ROM after completion of the project.