System and method for navigating geological visualizations

#Rock layers, rock types and rock ages are studied in different locations to understand the geology of the location. This branch of geology is referred to a stratigraphic characterization, as it seeks to determine attributes of the different layers or “strata” of the subsurface domain. The strata of different locations may undergo different processes, events, etc., and thus may be unique in some aspects between different regions; further, the strata of specific regions may be given region-specific names. Thus, depth-dependent data for the strata from one region may not carry over to similar depths or strata in other regions. As a result, it may be difficult to compare similar depths in different regions based on the local stratigraphic data.

#Subdisciplines of stratigraphy include lithostratigraphy, which is based on local rock/formation names. Biostratigraphy is another subdiscipline and is based on fossil assemblage within the rocks for spatial and time positioning. Further, chronostratigraphy permits the correlation of strata in different regions based on a time standard. For example, the strata of different locations, which may be located at different depth intervals, have different names, etc., may thus be positioned on a chronostratigraphic timeline, which may permit comparisons of generally contemporaneously formed strata and inferences based on data from different locations.

#The International Commission on Stratigraphy (ICS) maintains the International Chronostratigraphic Chart, which provides a reference timeline of the different chronostratigraphic ages of rocks. The ICS thus establishes a multidisciplinary standard and global geologic time scale that facilitates paleontological and geobiological comparisons region to region by benchmarks with stringent and rigorous strata criteria called Global Boundary Stratotype Section and Points (GSSPs) within the fossil record. The International Chronostratigraphic chart permits the geoscience community to use a globally agreed upon and recognized reference, describing the age and meta-type of stratigraphic layers, regardless of their presence in a specific region.

#The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the present teachings and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present teachings. In the figures:

#FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a system that includes various management components to manage various aspects of a geologic environment, according to an embodiment.

#FIG. 2 illustrates a flowchart of a method for navigating a geological environment, according to an embodiment.

#Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and figures. In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, circuits, and networks have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the embodiments.

#It will also be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first object or step could be termed a second object or step, and, similarly, a second object or step could be termed a first object or step, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The first object or step, and the second object or step, are both, objects or steps, respectively, but they are not to be considered the same object or step.

#The terminology used in the description herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments and is not intended to be limiting. As used in this description and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will also be understood that the term “and/or” as used herein refers to and encompasses any possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It will be further understood that the terms “includes,” “including,” “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. Further, as used herein, the term “if” may be construed to mean “when” or “upon” or “in response to determining” or “in response to detecting,” depending on the context.