Integration of data constraints and potential field modelling - an examplefrom southern lower saxony, Germany

Most of interpretational tasks in geophysics require an interdisciplinary k nowledge and integration of information from comprehensive data bases. Towa rds this end a combination of different geophysical surveys employing seism ics, gravity and magnetics, provides new insights into the structures and t ectonic evolution of natural deposits together with geological and petrolog ical studies. No doubt, any interdisciplinary approach is essential for num erical modelling of these structures and the processes acting on it. The in terpretation of garvity and magnetics by 3D modelling requires data from ot her independent soul ces, due to the ambiguity of these methods. In close cooperation with geologists and computer scientists we are develop ing an object oriented model of the southern rim of the Northwest German Ba sin which consists of information from industry wells, stratigraphy and geo physical parameters (e.g. density and susceptibility). GOCAD is used for ge ometrical modelling purposes, IGMAS handels the interactive modifications o f geophysical model parameters and geometry. Both modelling programs are su pported by an object oriented data base system which will guarantee the con sistency of data and models. Combined interpretations of the southern basin are presented and show, how the information from different gee-disciplines is visualized in order to ea se the modelling process. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserve d.