Inferring Cenozoic Cover Thickness and Bedrock Sedimentary Material in 3D From Geophysical Data Using Machine Learning Algorithms: A Case Study in the Lockington Region, Victoria, Australia

Abstract This study presents a supervised machine learning approach to constructing a 3D geological model for the Lockington area in Victoria, Australia, by integrating borehole observations, geophysical surveys (magnetic, gravity, and radiometric), and elevation data. Two applications of machine learning are developed: (a) Cover‐bedrock models inferred the Cenozoic cover thickness, and (b) bedrock lithology models inferred the bedrock material as either pelitic or psammitic. The methodology involved data preprocessing through filtering and classification, as well as iterative model development using well‐established machine learning algorithms, such as Support Vector Machines and K‐Nearest Neighbors. We evaluated the importance of contributions from variously filtered geophysical survey maps using chi‐square scores, retaining the most influential features for model optimization. The cover‐bedrock models achieved an accuracy of 97.7%, while the bedrock lithology models achieved an accuracy of 92.6%, showing the approach's efficacy in capturing complex geological patterns and relationships. The final 3D models delineate the orientation of a domed anticlinal structure beneath the Cenozoic cover. These structures are consistent with existing geological interpretations of the area, as well as resistivity inversion pseudo‐sections, perpendicular to the D1 axial fold planes, that were not used as input to our models.

Authors

Institutions

Publication Details

Journal
Earth and Space Science
Published
2026-02-28
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1029/2024ea004041
Primary Topic
Geophysical and Geoelectrical Methods
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

Inferring Cenozoic Cover Thickness and Bedrock Sedimentary Material in 3D From Geophysical Data Using Machine Learning Algorithms: A Case Study in the Lockington Region, Victoria, Australia

Eleanor Green, M. A. McLean, Limin Xu
Earth and Space Science
Geophysical and Geoelectrical Methods
article

Inferring Cenozoic Cover Thickness and Bedrock Sedimentary Material in 3D From Geophysical Data Using Machine Learning Algorithms: A Case Study in the Lockington Region, Victoria, Australia

Eleanor Green, M. A. McLean, Limin Xu
article en

Abstract

Abstract This study presents a supervised machine learning approach to constructing a 3D geological model for the Lockington area in Victoria, Australia, by integrating borehole observations, geophysical surveys (magnetic, gravity, and radiometric), and elevation data. Two applications of machine learning are developed: (a) Cover‐bedrock models inferred the Cenozoic cover thickness, and (b) bedrock lithology models inferred the bedrock material as either pelitic or psammitic. The methodology involved data preprocessing through filtering and classification, as well as iterative model development using well‐established machine learning algorithms, such as Support Vector Machines and K‐Nearest Neighbors. We evaluated the importance of contributions from variously filtered geophysical survey maps using chi‐square scores, retaining the most influential features for model optimization. The cover‐bedrock models achieved an accuracy of 97.7%, while the bedrock lithology models achieved an accuracy of 92.6%, showing the approach's efficacy in capturing complex geological patterns and relationships. The final 3D models delineate the orientation of a domed anticlinal structure beneath the Cenozoic cover. These structures are consistent with existing geological interpretations of the area, as well as resistivity inversion pseudo‐sections, perpendicular to the D1 axial fold planes, that were not used as input to our models.

Earth and Space ScienceVol. 13(3)
Geological Survey of Western Australia (AU), The University of Melbourne (AU)
Openalex Percentile: Top 50%
Geophysical and Geoelectrical Methods
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.

Inferring Cenozoic Cover Thickness and Bedrock Sedimentary Material in 3D From Geophysical Data Using Machine Learning Algorithms: A Case Study in the Lockington Region, Victoria, Australia — Eleanor Green, M. A. McLean, et al. · Earth and Space Science (2026) | TGRS Research Map | TGRS