Formalization of Heterogenous Data

One of our main concerns with the conversion of initial subsurface data into a manageable range of categories was the extent to which data resolution would be lost. In cases such as this, where data collection has not been regulated by standards and a range of different terminology applied, it is at first essential to choose an ontology of lithological definitions from which analysis in a computational environment can be achieved. The approach taken involves the application of two sets of definition rules for lithology to break down each bed layer description. This was greatly facilitated by specialized software developed jointly by Drs. Schuurman and Allen at Simon Fraser University called LD builder, which automated this process. Both of these definition sets were considered appropriate choices based on their specificity to sediment-rich, largely unconsolidated post-glacial environments.