Computational Science is the discipline that utilizes mathematical models to solve and analyse problems. Due to the recent advances in technology, particularly in modern-day computing, computational science has seen an increase in its use. Starting as simulations of natural processes, this field has led to great discoveries in both science and engineering. Numerical analysis is one domain that has had a sound impact on computational science. Geo-sciences, like most fields in our world, rely on large amounts of data required for analysis. The oil and gas boom saw many companies investing in modern technologies to analyse the geophysical, seismic and Geo-chemical data available in order to make more discoveries. With new advances in machine learning and artificial intelligence software, the once old art of seismic data processing has been redefined. Seismic waves are one of the easiest and most accurate ways of studying various geological anomalies buried beneath the earth’s surface. Through seismic reflection, refraction, and profiling, data is obtained. This data upon analysis could lead to various discoveries, primarily in the oil and gas industry for finding out new deposits.
Modern-day fluid simulation software come under this domain as well. Within Geo-sciences, fluids play an important yet hidden role. Natural gas and oil are both fluids, which at great depths tend to behave differently. The use of numerical methods coupled with advanced scientific computing techniques has helped engineers and Geo-scientists to simulate these processes without a problem. It is here that high-performance computing techniques, ie, parallel programming as well as parallel computing take a front stand. With increases in ease and understanding of these techniques, the simulations become much easier and less expensive to perform. Last but not least, is the domain of image analysis. Both the Geo-sciences and material sciences are linked by this field. To better understand how certain processes have an effect on materials within the earth, they must be scanned via microscopic techniques. These images are then analysed and conclusions are drawn. Computational algorithms, designed to extract features from these images play a crucial role in this. Very often, such features are almost invisible to the naked eye. Computational science has helped in creating a new field within which human beings can obtain faster calculations without much effort. The future of Geo-sciences lies within this field.
Numerical Model of Earth’s tectonic field
Deep learning in Seismic Imaging
-Article by Karthik Menon, 3rd Year Mining Engineering