182 Expanding Geology’s Horizons: Geoinformatics, Open Science, and Open Data (Posters)

This session highlights the development of new methodologies for collecting, sharing, and analyzing geological datasets and the advancement of FAIR (findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable) data practices.

Tuesday, 21 October 2025
8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
HBGCC, Hall 1

Increasing Efficiency of Underground Geologic Mapping by Integrating Mine Vision System FaceCapture™ Data Collection with Datamine 3D modeling Software.

Paper number: 182-5
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 8:00 AM – 8:00 AM

Authors

Abstract

Geologic characterization of newly mined areas at the Nevada National Security Sites P-Tunnel Complex was completed from April 2024 to July 2025. This characterization was conducted in support of the Physics Experiment 1 (PE1) project, whose aim is to discriminate between sources using chemical explosions. Since these experiments are strongly influenced by the geologic medium, geologic characterization of the testbed and nearby locations is key. The testbed is located within the Vitric Nonwelded Tuff (VNT) (Calico Hills and Wahmonie Formations), a bedded section that has been divided into numerous subunits, labeled VNT-C to VNT-10, based mainly on visual differences in alteration and grain size. The entire testbed lies within a transition zone between the underlying, mostly zeolitic Upper Zeolitic Nonwelded Tuff (UZNT) and the overlying, mostly vitric VNT. Beds in this transition zone range from vitric to zeolitic, interbedded to massive, and ash to pumice falls. Some of these subunits (specifically VNT-2 and VNT-4) are highly silicious. We employed a geologic mapping technique that combines the Mine Vision Systems 3D underground mapping system, FaceCapture™, and Datamine’s Studio Mapper. This has allowed us to map the contacts between geologic units in the field directly on 3D georeferenced meshes. The FaceCapture™ system collects a LiDAR point cloud and color images and then couples the two types of data to create a 3D geomesh of the excavations. The 3D geomesh files are exported (point clouds as .las files, and 3D geomeshes as .obj files) and imported into Datamine Studio Mapper 3D, where the contacts are digitized as polylines snapped directly to the geomesh. With this new combination of FaceCapture™ and Studio Mapper, we can also add any fractures observed in the field using the system’s tablet. These data provide input to the existing geologic model of the testbed and are important for site characterization and experiment planning. Additionally, this new process has greatly reduced the amount of time spent mapping underground, minimizing interference with the excavation progress.

This work was done by Mission Support and Test Services, LLC, under Contract No. DE-NA0003624 with the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Nuclear Security Administration, Office of Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation. DOE/NV/03624--2225.

SNL is managed and operated by NTESS under DOE NNSA contract DE-NA0003525. SAND2025-09527A.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 57, No. 6

doi: 10.1130/abs/2025AM-413641

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