journal article·2026-04-22Open access

A 3D Fold-Modeling Method Based on Multiple-Point Statistics and Long Short-Term Memory Networks

Xueye Chen, Gang Liu, Hongfeng Fang, Qiyu Chen, Ce Zhang, Zhesi Cui, Zhenwen He, Wenyao Fan, Junping Xiong

Applied Sciences· Volume 16· Issue 9

Abstract

Accurate fold models are of great significance for mineralization control, resource exploration, and underground engineering. However, existing automated modeling methods show difficulty in quantitatively describing fold development patterns and lack the available reference models required for multiple-point statistics and intelligent modeling techniques. This study proposes a novel three-dimensional (3D) fold-modeling method that integrates multiple-point-statistics-based pattern library construction with a long short-term memory (LSTM) network-based modeling framework. The multiple-point geostatistic is employed to quantify spatial distributions and correlations in geological data, thereby identifying the intrinsic structural patterns of folds. The extracted patterns are transformed into a training library that effectively represents the geological semantics and morphological diversity of folds, providing a reliable dataset for LSTM-based model training. An optimized ConvLSTM network is designed to ensure robust representation of fold complexity and variability. Based on the network, 3D models can be rapidly generated from geological profiles. Multiple experiments demonstrate that the proposed method can automatically produce 3D models that conform to realistic geological conditions and accurately reflect true fold geometries. The approach significantly improves modeling efficiency and geological feature representation, providing a reliable tool for geological engineering applications.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline

Research context

OpenAlex topics: Geological Modeling and Analysis · Geochemistry and Geologic Mapping · Soil Geostatistics and Mapping

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Key Laboratory of Urban Land Resources Monitoring and Simulation, Ministry of Natural Resources, Shenzhen 518000, China

State Key Laboratory of Geomicrobiology and Environmental Changes, School of Computer Science, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China

Engineering Research Center of Natural Resource Information Management and Digital Twin Engineering Software, Ministry of Education, Wuhan 430074, China

Hubei Key Laboratory of Intelligent Geo-Information Processing, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China

State Key Laboratory of Deep Geothermal Resources, School of Sustainable Energy, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China · Natural Science Foundation of Hubei Province · Open Fund of Key Laboratory of Urban Land Resources Monitoring and Simulation, Ministry of Natural Resources

References (31)

Show source-provided references
1. Li, H., Wan, B., Chu, D., Wang, R., Ma, G., Fu, J., and Xiao, Z. (2023). Progressive geological modeling and uncertainty analysis using machine learning. ISPRS Int. J. Geo-Inf., 12.10.3390/ijgi12030097 ↗
2. Liu, L., Li, T., and Ma, C. (2024). Research on 3D geological modeling method based on deep neural networks for drilling data. Appl. Sci., 14.10.3390/app14010423 ↗
3. Model selection for mineral resource assessment considering geological and grade uncertainties, Application of multiple-point geostatistics and a cluster analysis to an iron deposit10.1007/s11053-021-09813-9 ↗
4. Incorporating interpretation uncertainties from deterministic 3D hydrostratigraphic models in groundwater models10.5194/hess-28-505-2024 ↗
5. 3D computational simulation-based mineral prospectivity modeling for exploration for concealed Fe–Cu skarn-type mineralization within the Yueshan orefield, Anqing district, Anhui Province, China10.1016/j.oregeorev.2018.12.003 ↗
6. Cement grout propagation in two-dimensional fracture networks, Impact of structure and hydraulic variability10.1016/j.ijrmms.2019.01.004 ↗
7. A feature-enhanced MPS approach to reconstruct 3D deposit models using 2D geological cross sections, A case study in the Luodang Cu deposit, Southwestern China10.1007/s11053-022-10113-z ↗
8. Stratigraphic uncertainty modelling with random field approach10.1016/j.compgeo.2020.103681 ↗
9. Multiple-point geostatistics-based 3D automatic geological modeling and uncertainty analysis for borehole data10.1007/s11053-022-10071-6 ↗
10. Stochastic stratigraphic modeling using Bayesian machine learning10.1016/j.enggeo.2022.106789 ↗
11. Constructing 3D geological models based on large-scale geological maps10.1515/geo-2020-0270 ↗
12. QuickSampling v1.0: A robust and simplified pixel-based multiple-point simulation approach10.5194/gmd-13-2611-2020 ↗
13. He, H., Xiao, J., He, J., Wei, B., Ma, X., Huang, F., Cai, X., Zhou, Y., Bi, J., and Zhao, Y. (2023). Three-dimensional geological modeling of the shallow subsurface and its application: A case study in Tongzhou District, Beijing, China. Appl. Sci., 13.10.3390/app13031932 ↗
14. Geospatial modeling for groundwater potential zoning using a multi-parameter analytical hierarchy process supported by geophysical data10.1007/s42452-024-05769-6 ↗
15. Training Images from Process-Imitating Methods, An Application to the Lower Namoi Aquifer, Murray-Darling Basin, Australia10.1007/s11004-013-9505-y ↗
16. Ke, L., Ruan, F., Duan, T., Li, Z., Wang, X., and Zhao, L. (2023). Integrated Geomodel Accuracy Enhancement Based on Embedded MPS Geological Modeling for Thin Interbedded Reservoirs. Energies, 16.10.3390/en16196850 ↗
17. Regional 3D geological modeling along metro lines based on stacking ensemble model10.1016/j.undsp.2023.12.002 ↗
18. Multi-scale generative adversarial networks (GAN) for generation of 3D subsurface geological models from limited boreholes and prior geological knowledge10.1016/j.compgeo.2024.106336 ↗
19. An ensemble learning paradigm for subsurface stratigraphy from sparse measurements and augmented training images10.1016/j.tust.2024.105972 ↗
20. Multifractal Classification of the Disturbed areas of the Sidi Chennane Phosphate Deposit10.9719/EEG.2022.55.3.231 ↗
21. Using the mass-radius method to quantify the disturbed zones in Sidi Chennane mine through geo-electrical images
22. Automatic reconstruction of 3D geological models based on Recurrent Neural Network and predictive learning10.1016/j.cageo.2025.105996 ↗
23. 3D geological modeling of tunnel alignment in the complex mountainous region of Yongshan, China, based on multisource data fusion10.1016/j.enggeo.2025.108209 ↗
24. Prediction of Lithofacies and 3D Geological Modeling Based on CNN-LSTM Spatiotemporal Networks10.1007/s11004-025-10198-1 ↗
25. RNN-LSTM: From applications to modeling techniques and beyond—Systematic review10.1016/j.jksuci.2024.102068 ↗
26. Time series prediction based on LSTM-attention-LSTM model10.1109/ACCESS.2023.3276628 ↗
27. The direct sampling method to perform multiple-point geostatistical simulations10.1029/2008WR007621 ↗
28. Conditioning multiple-point statistics simulation to inequality data10.1029/2020EA001515 ↗
29. Using generative adversarial networks as a fast forward operator for hydrogeological inverse problems10.1111/gwat.13005 ↗
30. Learning long-term dependencies with gradient descent is difficult10.1109/72.279181 ↗
31. Long short-term memory10.1162/neco.1997.9.8.1735 ↗