Systems and methods to build sedimentary attributes

A system for visualizing sedimentary attributes, the system comprising:

• a memory to store a set of paleo-geographic coordinates;
• a processor configured to:
• receive paleo-geographic coordinate functions representing predicted approximate positions of particles of sediment deposited at a time period when a layer was originally formed,
• determine a sedimentation rate that varies laterally along the layer, and
• determine a sedimentary attribute based on the lateral variation of the sedimentation rate along the layer with respect to the paleo-geographic coordinates;
• and
• a display for displaying the sedimentary attribute of the layer in the present-day geological space.

A method for displaying sedimentary attributes, the method comprising:

• mapping a model of a subsurface layer bound between horizons from a non-curvilinear first coordinate system to a curvilinear second coordinate system;
• determining a sedimentation rate that varies laterally along the layer;
• determining one or more sedimentary attributes based on the lateral variation of the sedimentation rate within the layer by approximating the change in the sedimentation rate along one or more iso-surfaces of the curvilinear second coordinate system;
• and
• displaying the sedimentary attributes in the model in the first or second coordinate systems.