AIG, ASEG, GSA, WOMEESA and PESA Victorian Branch are teaming up again in Melbourne for a great talk followed by some excellent networking! The presentation will be held at Melbourne University, followed by a networking session at the Clyde Hotel, Carlton (next door). All welcome to attend - the event is free, but please register.
3D geological modelling of igneous intrusions using constraints from emplacement mechanisms
What controls the geometry of igneous intrusions, and how can we use this knowledge to build better 3D geological models? From understanding Earth processes to guiding mineral exploration and resource estimation, 3D geological models are powerful tools for exploring the subsurface. Yet, they are often built from limited data, making uncertainty a key challenge. This talk introduces an approach to modelling igneous intrusions in 3D that integrates prior geological knowledge of emplacement mechanisms directly into the modelling workflow. Rather than relying solely on data points, the method uses geological rules, capturing how intrusions exploit host rock anisotropies and develop characteristic geometries, to generate realistic 3D models without the need for manual processing. Implemented in the LoopStructural Python library (https://loop3d.org/), this approach shifts 3D modelling from a purely interpolation-based process to a geologically informed approach. Through a series of case studies, this presentation demonstrates how the approach reduces model uncertainty and enables the testing of alternative scenarios for intrusion geometry and emplacement. By removing the need for manual editing, models become reproducible and easy to interrogate, supporting better decision-making in research and industry, whether for understanding Earth processes, prioritising future fieldwork, or designing drilling programs to test exploration targets.
FOLLOWED AT 7.00 pm by nibbles & drinks @ The Clyde, Corner Elgin & Cardigan Sts, Carlton
Free event but registration is essential!
Speaker
Dr Fernanda Alvarado-Neves, WOMEESA Secretary & Exploration Geologist, Aurelia Metals
Fernanda is a geologist with a PhD in geological modelling, currently working as an Exploration Geologist at Aurelia Metals in Cobar, Australia. She has experience across underground and open-pit mining, brownfields exploration, and applied research, with a strong focus on integrating geological, geochemical, and structural data to support decision-making in the mineral industry. Fernanda completed her PhD at Monash University, where she developed a 3D geological modelling method for igneous intrusions using Python-based approaches. She also holds an MSc in Structural Geology from the University of Chile, where she investigated the tectonostratigraphic evolution of the Central Chilean Andes through integrated structural, stratigraphic, and thermochronological analyses. Fernanda currently serves as Secretary of WOMEESA, contributing to initiatives that promote gender equity in the geosciences and supporting the organisation’s strategic direction to strengthen and sustain its network across Australasia.