The choice of geostatistical method in subsurface mapping: Case study of Lake Pannon sediments in central Belgrade (Serbia)

Abstract

Subsurface mapping includes various types of data, and thickness maps are one of the essential tools for the subsurface exploration geoscientist. Vertical thickness (isochore) maps are compiled in using different geostatistical methods for interpolation between input data points, which are in this case based on irregularly-spaced boreholes which have drilled the Lake Pannon sediments. Of the four used methods, Kriging produces the most sound map, whereas Triangulation with linear interpolation is practically useless when plotting irregular spatial data. Additional visualization tools were derived from the kriging map for cross-correlation, and supported the interpretation that the highest-thickness area is the depocenter in the North of the map, while the low-thickness zone is a basement ridge where older sediments can be found on the surface.