How to cite: Hernández, H., Díaz-Viera, M., Donaire, S., Sanchez-Vera, G., & Morales-Leal, J. (2026). A novel methodology for geological modeling using a multilayer perceptron with supervised learning based on an implicit approach. Revista Mexicana de Ciencias Geológicas, 43(2), 198–209. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.22201/igc.20072902e.2026.2.1879
Revista Mexicana de Ciencias Geológicas, v. 43, num. 2, August 2026, p. 198–209
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.22201/igc.20072902e.2026.2.1879
A novel methodology for geological modeling using a multilayer perceptron with supervised learning based on an implicit approach
Heber Hernández1, a, Martín Díaz-Viera2, b, Sebastián Donaire1, 3, c, Guillermo Sánchez-Vera1, 3, d, and Jorge Morales-Leal1, e
1 Facultad de Ingeniería y Negocios, Universidad Santo Tomás, Ejército Libertador 146, Santiago 8370003, Chile.
² Instituto Mexicano del Petróleo, Eje Central Lázaro Cárdenas No. 152, Mexico City, 07730, Mexico.
3 Departamento de Ingeniería Minera y Civil, Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena, Murcia, 30203, Spain.
* Corresponding author (H. Hernández): hhernandez9@santotomas.cl
a 0000-0002-6588-3460, b 0000-0001-5811-6186, c 0000-0002-0648-8444, d 0009-0007-7073-7832 e 0000-0002-0568-9746
ABSTRACT
This article presents a novel methodology for geological unit modeling, inspired by the theoretical conception of implicit geological modeling, but extending its capacity to incorporate covariates through a supervised learning method such as multi-layer perceptron. Based on a signed distance function applied to each drillhole sample, an auxiliary variable is generated which, together with spatial coordinates, is associated with the corresponding geological category. These data are used in a supervised training process, where the perceptron learns the spatial distribution of geological units. One of the main advantages of the model is the ease of incorporating covariates, allowing those with higher quality or sampling density to contribute to a more robust subsurface representation. Subsequently, both the auxiliary variable and the covariates are interpolated at the target coordinates. The trained perceptron assigns a geological class to each grid cell, and a post-processing step adjusts the contacts between units, enhancing geological continuity. The proposed methodology is validated using a synthetic dataset representing four stratified lithological units in a 2D grid. Each unit is associated with spatial coordinates and a secondary variable corresponding to rock density. From this grid, a 2.75 % sample is extracted, equivalent to 11 irregularly spaced vertical drillholes, serving as the starting point for applying the method in a controlled environment. The results are compared with those from conventional implicit modeling using precision, recall, F1-score, and Kappa coefficient metrics, showing a superior performance of the proposed method, honoring geological contacts, and improving the spatial distribution of lithological units. The findings of this study provide a foundation for scaling the methodology, exploring new machine learning models, optimizing computational performance, and extending it to real 3D scenarios.
Keywords: geological modeling; geological implicit modeling; supervised learning; multi-layer perceptron
RESUMEN
Este artículo presenta una novedosa metodología para modelamiento de unidades geológicas, inspirada en la concepción teórica del modelamiento geológico implícito, pero extendiendo su capacidad de incorporar covariables a través de un método de aprendizaje supervisado como el perceptrón multicapa. A partir de una función de distancia con signo aplicada a cada muestra de sondaje, se genera una variable auxiliar que, junto con las coordenadas espaciales, se asocia a la categoría geológica correspondiente. Estos datos se utilizan en un proceso de entrenamiento supervisado, en el que el perceptrón aprende la distribución espacial de las unidades geológicas. Una de las principales ventajas del modelo es la facilidad para incorporar covariables, permitiendo que aquellas de mayor calidad o densidad de muestreo contribuyan a una representación más robusta del subsuelo. Posteriormente, tanto la variable auxiliar como las covariables son interpoladas en las coordenadas objetivo. El perceptrón entrenado asigna una clase geológica a cada celda de la cuadrícula, y mediante un postproceso se ajustan los contactos entre unidades, mejorando la continuidad geológica. La validación de la propuesta metodológica se realiza utilizando una base de datos sintética que representa cuatro unidades litológicas estratificadas en una cuadrícula 2D. Cada unidad está asociada a coordenadas espaciales y a una variable secundaria correspondiente a la densidad de roca. A partir de esta cuadrícula, se extrae una muestra del 2.75 %, equivalente a 11 sondajes verticales dispuestos de forma irregular, que constituyen el punto de partida para la aplicación del método en un entorno controlado. Los resultados se comparan con los del modelamiento implícito convencional mediante métricas de precisión, recall, F1-score y coeficiente Kappa, evidenciando un desempeño superior del método propuesto, respetando los contactos geológicos y mejorando la distribución espacial de las unidades litológicas. Los hallazgos de este estudio proporcionan una base para escalar la metodología, explorando nuevos modelos de aprendizaje automático, optimizando su desempeño computacional y extendiéndola a aplicaciones en escenarios reales 3D.
Palabas clave: modelamiento geológico; modelamiento geológico implícito; aprendizaje supervisado; perceptrón multicapa
Manuscript received: May 21, 2025
Corrected manuscript received: April 15, 2026
Manuscript accepted: April 20, 2026
Published online: August 1, 2026
INTRODUCTION
Geological modeling is a computerized representation of various subsurface properties that aims to reliably portray an uncertain reality based on fragmentary information (Birch, 2014; Ma, 2019). These models are essential as a starting point for mineral resource estimation, as they allow the determination of rock distribution, alteration zones, and structural controls. This, in turn, facilitates the identification of elements or processes that contribute to the formation of mineralized systems (Wellmann & Caumon, 2018), providing a fundamental basis for conducting economic and technical evaluations of a deposit (Cavero et al., 2016). The accuracy and level of detail of such models significantly affect mine planning and strategic decision-making throughout the project life cycle (Fookes, 1997). Uncertainty is a key focus and a critical condition for obtaining the best possible geological model estimations (Tacher et al., 2006). Inadequate fitting of geological models, either in terms of tonnage or grade, can result in significant economic losses for a project. This, in turn, leads to overestimation of resources and underestimation of tonnage during mine reconciliation. The importance of these models extends beyond the mining sector into disciplines such as geophysics (Giraud et al., 2024), geotechnics (de Rienzo et al., 2008), hydrogeology (Bradbury et al., 2007), and environmental management, making them a critical component in the efficient development of engineering projects and geological risk assessment.
Explicit modeling
Initially, geological modeling was developed almost exclusively using the explicit method. This involves the manual construction of three-dimensional models using computer-aided design tools, based on drillhole records, nodes, or surface study segments (Guo et al., 2020). This methodology links digitized two-dimensional sections to later form a three-dimensional representation of geological phenomena (Mallet, 1992; Ming et al., 2010; Guo et al., 2018). However, despite its widespread use, this approach has significant limitations, including the introduction of biases due to subjective interpretation, challenges in representing complex geological features, high time costs, difficulty in auditing, and constraints in model updating (Cowan et al., 2011; Martinelli & Tonetti, 2024a).
Implicit modeling
To overcome the limitations of explicit modeling, Cowan et al. (2002, 2003) proposed an approach that revolutionized geological model construction, known as Implicit Modeling (IM). This method is based on the use of continuous mathematical functions to interpolate geological contacts from discrete drillhole data, allowing the generation of complex geological surfaces without intensive manual procedures. The distance function methodology (Osher & Fedkiw, 2003) is an implicit modeling technique that relies on interpolating signed distance functions within a geological domain (Deutsch & Wilde, 2013; McLennan & Deutsch, 2006). These functions quantify the separation between different geological units by considering their orientation, shape, and spatial extent. Positive values indicate that a point lies outside the unit, while negative values indicate it is inside. To estimate function values at unsampled locations, interpolation methods such as inverse distance weighting, radial basis function (RBF), Hermite radial basis function (HRBF), kriging, among others, can be used (J. Wang et al., 2018). A threshold rule is then applied to define the boundaries between different geological units. This methodological evolution has significantly improved the accuracy of three-dimensional subsurface representation, reduced the subjectivity inherent in manual interpretation, and shortened the time required for geological data digitization and integration. Nevertheless, despite these advances, implicit modeling based on signed distance functions has notable limitations. One key issue is the inability to incorporate secondary information that complements the modeling of geological units, which is particularly problematic in contexts with sparse or irregularly distributed data, where the model tends to be unrepresentative and fragmented (Jessell et al., 2010). A good geological model captures the formation history of a deposit. For instance, in the Flin Flon volcanogenic massive sulfide deposit (VMS) in Canada, the integration of lithogeochemical and geological data in a 3D model enabled the understanding of spatial relationships between mineralization, hydrothermal alteration, and fault planes, revealing how mineralization was redistributed during subsequent tectonic events (Schetselaar et al., 2017). Other studies have implemented implicit modeling using radial basis functions to reconstruct mineralized bodies by integrating geological constraints that reflect structural trends, demonstrating advantages over explicit modeling (Vollgger et al., 2015; Zhong et al., 2019; Guo et al., 2022). This technique has also been used for reconstructing structural systems, determining lithological contacts in space (Salvanus Yevalla et al., 2024), and modeling aquifers and hydrogeological systems (D’Affonseca et al., 2020). Some authors have compared implicit and explicit geological modeling (see Table 1), highlighting the strengths and limitations of each approach (Birch, 2014; Martinelli & Tonetti, 2024b). In this context, a combined strategy has been proposed to enhance results, beginning with an initial implicit model that is then refined through manual review section by section along different axes (Collon & Caumon, 2017). However, this methodology has also been questioned, as it reintroduces the explicit model component, once again inheriting issues such as subjectivity and high dependence on the modeler's judgment.
Table 1. Comparative aspects of explicit vs. implicit modeling.
|
Aspect |
Explicit modeling |
Implicit modeling |
|
Respect for drillhole contacts |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Modeling speed |
Slow |
Fast |
|
Ability to replicate models |
No |
Yes |
|
Auditability complexity |
High |
Low |
|
Level of subjectivity |
High |
Low |
|
Modeler supervision requirement |
High |
Low |
Modeling using machine learning
In recent years, the integration of Machine Learning (ML) techniques into geosciences has driven a transition from traditional physical and numerical approaches toward data-driven strategies (Brown et al., 2000; Rodriguez-Galiano et al., 2015; J. T. Guo et al., 2019; Zhao et al., 2024). ML has emerged as a promising alternative in this field due to its ability to identify complex patterns, efficiently integrate multiple sources of information, and improve the accuracy and robustness of generated models (Ashena & Thonhauser, 2015; Yao et al., 2020; Hillier et al., 2021; Jia et al., 2021; Kushwaha et al., 2021; Battalgazy et al., 2023). The advancement of these techniques is reflected in the development of new modules within specialized geological modeling software (see Table 2), aimed at improving model accuracy while optimizing and accelerating the expert modeler's work.
Table 2. Commercial geological modeling software.
|
Company |
Software |
Includes ML |
Includes IM |
|
Seequent |
Leapfrog GEO |
No |
Yes |
|
Datamine |
Studio RM |
No |
Yes |
|
Maptek |
Vulcan Implicit Modeling |
No |
Yes |
|
Maptek |
Domain MCF |
Yes |
No |
|
Rock Flow Dynamics |
tNavigator Geology |
Yes |
Yes |
ML: machine learning; IM: implicit modeling.
Various studies have applied ML techniques to build geological models, selecting algorithms and input data based on the type of geological phenomenon being represented. For example, Smirnoff et al. (2008) and Wang et al. (2014) used support vector machines (SVM) to model sedimentary facies and shale lithofacies from well log and geological map data. Xiang et al. (2020) implemented random forests with geophysical and geological information to predict types of mineralization. Gonçalves et al. (2017, 2021) used maximum likelihood and Gaussian processes to model stratigraphic units and isovalues of potential fields. Jia et al. (2021) employed a stacking ensemble method to identify rock types using drilling and geophysical data. Bai & Tahmasebi (2020) trained a convolutional neural network to simulate lithofacies from flow images, while Hillier et al. (2021); Illarionov et al. (2022); Jiang et al. (2021); Yao et al. (2020); and Zhou et al. (2019) applied various neural network architectures, including graph-based, generative, recurrent, and deep networks, to classify geological attributes and model subsurface structures in diverse contexts and applications. Unlike previous works, the present study introduces a novel contribution by incorporating an auxiliary variable into the model training process, grounded in the theoretical conception of implicit modeling through distance functions. The focus is not on comparing models but on developing a generalizable methodology applicable to different geological problems and capable of integrating covariates into the modeling process.
This manuscript is organized as follows: The methodology section, details the Implicit Multi-Layer Perceptron (IMLP) procedure; the next section presents an application case in a controlled synthetic scenario; in the discussion section, the results are compared and discussed in relation to conventional implicit modeling. Finally, the conclusions of the study are presented, along with potential pathways for scaling the proposed approach and opportunities for future improvement.
METHODOLOGY
The proposed methodology (see Figure 1) is sequentially divided into four stages, which together form a workflow hereafter referred to as IMLP.
Figure 1. Methodology flowchart proposed for the implicit multi-layer perceptron (IMLP).
Preprocessing, data preparation, and perceptron training
The geological variable to be modeled is defined; it is categorical in nature and contains K categories, hereafter referred to as units. A secondary variable (covariate) spatially related to the units is established. If this covariate has a higher sampling frequency, its contribution becomes more significant. Spatial coordinates may represent a 2D or 3D space without altering the method’s order or logic. The target grid is characterized by an origin coordinate, a number of cells, and a cell size for each axis. An auxiliary variable is constructed from the K units, where for all samples {z(ui), i = 1, 2, 3, ..., n}, an indicator vector of the K units is encoded in binary form:
. . (1)
In this way, the elements of the vector take a value of one when they belong to the geological unit, while the remaining elements are encoded as zero. For each element, a signed distance function (SDF) is applied, which yields a negative value if the samples are within the unit and a positive value otherwise:
, (2)
where the function H() is the square root of the squared differences between the locations ui – uj, which in 2D space is expressed as:
. (3)
The prepared data corresponding to the geological units, spatial coordinates, auxiliary variable, and secondary variable are standardized (see Equation 4) and split into 80 % for model training and 20 % for testing.
, (4)
where xi represents the original values of the variable, μ and σ represents the mean and standard deviation of the variable in the dataset, and z is the standardized value. The architecture of this model (see Figure 2) is composed of three types of layers. The input layer contains as many neurons as there are variables influencing the prediction of the geological units. The number of output neurons is equal to the number of units, K . The number of hidden layers and the number of neurons per layer depend on the specific characteristics of each problem. These hyperparameters, along with the activation function, learning rate, batch size, and optimizer, are determined using an iterative algorithm known as Grid Search (Belete & Huchaiah, 2022; Bischl et al., 2023). This method systematically evaluates all possible combinations of hyperparameter values within a predefined grid and selects the one that optimizes a performance metric. Each neuron in the hidden layers is responsible for receiving information from the previous layer, processing it, and propagating it forward to reach the output layer. What happens in each neuron can be explained through the principle of the perceptron (Rosenblatt, 1958; Alberdi et al., 2024).
, (5)
where the xj are the inputs to the unit, the wj are the weights, θ is the bias term, f is the nonlinear activation function, and ŷ is the unit’s activation. Extending this concept to multiple layers, the real outputs of the network are calculated:
Figure 2. Multi-layer perceptron (MLP) architecture per four geological units.
, (6)
where m is the number of inputs for the neuron k from the output layer, and f is the activation function.
The objective is to minimize the error in estimation with respect to the known real value (label) by adjusting the weights.
, (7)
where ŷ is the estimation value, y is the real value associated to input variables, and f is a cost function.
The metrics used to validate the model are as follows: Precision, which measures the proportion of correct positive predictions out of all positive predictions; F1-Score is the harmonic mean of Precision and Recall; Recall measures the proportion of correctly identified positive samples among all actual positive samples, and F1-Score balances these two metrics; and finally, Cohen’s Kappa, which measures the agreement between the predictions and the true labels, accounting for chance (see Appendix A).
Estimation of auxiliary and secondary variables
The auxiliar variable dk(ui) with n observations is interpolated on the target grid using a radial basis function (RBF):
, (8)
where ||∙|| is the Euclidian norm in Rd, and d is the dimension of the space. The coefficients (a1, a2, ...,an) are determined by solving the linear system derived from:
. (9)
The choice of the function ϕ(r) can vary; linear function (ϕ(r) = r) cubic function (ϕ(r) = r3) thin-plate splines (ϕ(r) = r2 logr), among others, can be selected. In this work, our choice has been the linear-type RBF (ϕ(r) = r) The secondary variable Z(xi) is estimated on the target grid using Ordinary Kriging (OK), assuming second-order stationarity, which allows the incorporation of a spatial variability model.
, (10)
where λi(x0) are the weights of each value of Z(xi) , which are optimal and minimize the estimation error variance, solved through a system of equations dependent on the covariances C() ensuring linear unbiasedness with a term μ(x0), which denotes a Lagrange multiplier:
, (11)
Additionally, ordinary kriging provides the estimation error variance σE2 (x0), a useful aspect in the post-processing stage of this methodology, specifically for identifying areas where additional drilling is needed. The term σ2 corresponds to the maximum variance of the spatial model.
. (12)
Prediction of the geological unit
With the model trained and validated as described in “Preprocessing, data preparation, and perceptron training”, the prediction is performed on the target grid. This process requires knowledge of the predictor variables at the destination locations (see “Estimation of auxiliary and secondary variables”).
Post-processing
The predicted geological units on the target grid serve as the basis for a sample extraction process, specifically in areas where the estimation variance of the secondary variable is highest. These extracted samples, in the form of drillholes, are added to the original database, forming a dense drilling mesh that is subsequently subjected to conventional implicit modeling.
APPLICATION
Construction of the synthetic database
A grid is defined covering an area of 1,000 meters along the X axis (northing) and 300 meters along the Z axis (elevation), with a cell size of 2.5 m × 2.5 m, resulting in a 400 × 120 matrix for a total of 48000 cells. Each cell is assigned a rock type, numerically coded as 1, 2, 3, or 4, representing stratified layers understood as geological units. The shapes of these layers are generated using sine functions to create undulating boundaries, giving them a more natural and smooth contour.
, (13)
where Ci is the mean elevation for Ri , λi is the undulation amplitude of Ri , λi is the wavelength of Ri , and ϕi is the initial phase of Ri.
The stratified layers are superimposed and defined as:
, (14)
where:
(15)
The assigned rock type is determined by the position of Ri relative to the layer boundaries: rock type 1 for Ri < R1, rock type 2 for R1 ≤ Ri < R2, rock type 3 for R2 ≤ Ri < R3, and rock type 4 for Ri ≥ R3. To create smooth transitions between layers, a transition width (w), is introduced, where cells in the transition zones are modified through additional conditions that adjust the rock type within the range ([Ri – w, Ri + w)] for each interface. A 2.75% sample is extracted from the grid in the form of 11 vertically oriented drillholes, spaced irregularly, with spatial coordinates (X, Z) and associated rock type (see Figure 3). Additionally, each rocktype is assigned a characteristic density sampled from a uniform distribution. This is done for practical purposes, to have a covariate that exhibits heterogeneous behavior between geological units, but homogeneous behavior within units. This partial information is used to carry out the implementation of the geological model.
Figure 3. Rocktype (synthetic background) and drillhole sample positions.
Data preprocessing and preparation
The target variable, corresponding to rocktype, is divided into four units. Both the coordinates and rock density are variables directly obtained and measured from drill cores. In this context, density serves as a secondary variable in the geological modeling process. As illustrated in Figure 4, the mean density exhibits distinctive characteristics, except in units 2 and 4, which notably do not have physical contact with each other (see Figure 3). Subsequently, the auxiliary variable defined as SDFi is created at the drillhole level. The SDFi values for each rocktype in the target grid are obtained by interpolating using a radial basis function (see Figure 5). In parallel, the secondary variable must significantly contribute to the geological modeling process. Therefore, it is essential that it be related to the rocktype and that its modeling be carried out by an expert familiar with the area’s geology and its interactions. If this variable is densely sampled, it becomes even more beneficial, as this reduces the uncertainty in its estimation. It is recommended to use geostatistical methods for its modeling, as these allow spatial continuity to be incorporated into the estimation, thereby improving accuracy. As shown in Figure 6, which depicts the experimental variograms alongside their respective theoretical fits for each direction, the modeling process begins by adjusting the theoretical curves based on the experimental data. This analysis demonstrates that density exhibits greater continuity in the horizontal direction than in the vertical one, which leads to the modeling of a geometric anisotropy: γ(h) = 0.03nugget + 0.22exponential(450,70). Subsequently, OK is used as the estimator (see Figure 7), thereby completing the creation of the secondary variable. The sample dataset (see Table 3) is divided into 80 % for training data and 20 % for testing data, which corresponds to 1056 and 264 data points, respectively. The target grid contains the spatial coordinates, the signed distance functions, and the secondary variable.
Figure 4. Rock mean density per domain (rocktype).
Figure 5. Signed distance function (SDF) per domain on the target grid..
Figure 6. Rock density variograms for two different directions, including theoretical (stippled lines) and experimental (continuous lines) data.
Figure 7. Rock density in drillholes and estimated ordinary kriging (OK).
Table 3. Drillholes dataset statistics.
|
Count |
Mean |
Std |
Min. |
Q1 |
Q2 |
Q3 |
Max. |
|
|
X |
1320 |
465.03 |
317.31 |
0 |
137.84 |
378.45 |
751.88 |
1000.00 |
|
Z |
1320 |
150.00 |
87.36 |
0 |
75.00 |
150.00 |
225.00 |
300.00 |
|
Rocktype |
1320 |
2.34 |
1.24 |
1.00 |
1.00 |
2.00 |
4.00 |
4.00 |
|
SDF R1 |
1320 |
26.22 |
62.01 |
-85.71 |
-20.17 |
12.61 |
73.11 |
216.81 |
|
SDF R2 |
1320 |
66.06 |
56.34 |
-25.21 |
20.17 |
57.98 |
108.40 |
194.38 |
|
SDF R3 |
1320 |
45.73 |
52.52 |
-57.98 |
5.04 |
42.86 |
80.80 |
181.64 |
|
SDF R4 |
1320 |
74.38 |
88.37 |
-90.76 |
-2.52 |
75.63 |
150.94 |
242.02 |
|
SG |
1320 |
1.97 |
0.56 |
1.01 |
1.40 |
2.02 |
2.53 |
2.70 |
Model training and validation
The model achieves optimal results following a hyperparameter optimization using Grid Search across multiple combinations. The neural network architecture, both at the input and output layers, matches that shown in Figure 2, with two hidden layers of 128 neurons each, activated using a Rectified Linear Unit (ReLU) function. The output layer uses Softmax functions, and the Adaptive Moment Estimation (ADAM) optimizer is employed to adjust the network weights. When predicting domains on the training dataset, all performance metrics reach their maximum score, indicating that the model makes no errors in predicting the domains (see Figure 8).
Figure 8. Confusion matrix of the multi-layer perceptron (MLP) on the test dataset.
Domain prediction on the target grid
With the validated multi-layer perceptron (MLP) model, domain prediction is carried out on the target grid. These predictions serve as a basis for the extraction of new drillholes in undersampled areas, specifically where the variance in the estimated rock density is high. It should be noted that this option can be approached with other methods, such as those mentioned in Wöhling et al. (2016). The new synthetic drillholes, combined with the original ones, create a dense network of samples that are then used as input for an implicit geological modeling process. The visual result of the IMLP model (see Figure 9) preserves domain contacts at the drillhole level, which is achieved through the postprocessing step.
Figure 9. Implicit multi-layer perceptron (IMLP) applied to rocktype.
DISCUSSION
Conventional implicit modeling using the RBF interpolator presents a drawback: in areas with no data, some domains appear fragmented, creating satellite bodies that do not reflect the intrinsic continuity of the variable in nature (see Figure 10). This occurs because the method does not allow for the direct incorporation of additional information in the form of covariates. A common practice in the mining industry is to manually add control points for the domains at the modeler's discretion, effectively manipulating the modeling outcome. This results in a hybrid between implicit and explicit modeling, but it prevents automation, leading to longer processing times.
Figure 10. Conventional implicit modeling applied to rocktype. a) Radial basis function (RBF) interpolator; b) ordinary kriging (OK) interpolator.
In the case of using another interpolator for the distance functions, such as OK, the outcome would be similar (see Table 4). Although OK allows for the incorporation of spatial variability, it cannot capture it effectively when only partial information is available. Consequently, the IMLP method, by enabling the integration of secondary information, whether more densely sampled or associated with lower uncertainty, yields a more realistic geological model.
Table 4. Model performance metrics compared with the synthetic ground-truth model..
|
Model |
Precision |
Recall |
F1-Score |
Kappa |
|
IM-RBF |
0.89 |
0.88 |
0.87 |
0.83 |
|
IM-OK |
0.87 |
0.86 |
0.85 |
0.80 |
|
IMLP |
0.96 |
0.96 |
0.96 |
0.94 |
IM-RBF: Implicit modeling using radial basis function interpolation.
IM-OK: Implicit modeling using ordinary kriging interpolation.
IMLP: Implicit multi-layer perceptron.
Influence of drillhole layout on model quality
It is well known that sampling density and the spatial arrangement of samples, in this case, drillholes, directly affect modeling results (Hernandez Guerra et al., 2020). The proper positioning of drillholes for subsurface sampling is closely related to the quality of the geological model. When drillholes are irregularly spaced or form clusters (see Figure 11, Scenario 7), evaluation metrics generally deteriorate (see Figure 12), reflecting a less accurate geological model. This issue, which affects any method relying solely on drillhole information, can be mitigated by the IMLP approach when supplemented with a more extensively sampled covariate. One example is the construction of lithological models using geophysical data as auxiliary information (Qi et al., 2023).
Figure 11. Random sampling scenarios.
Figure 12. Performance metrics by spatial distribution scenarios for the implicit multi-layer perceptron (IMLP) model. Scenarios correspond to those in Figure 11.
Input feature selection for the IMLP model
A questionable aspect of the proposed MLP architecture is the incorporation of absolute spatial coordinates. This arises because the IMLP employs a SDF for each geological unit, which inherently captures the spatial characteristics of the attribute being modeled. By computing the signed distance from each drilling sample to the contacts between geological units, these auxiliary variables encapsulate both the relative position of the samples with respect to boundaries and the underlying geometry of the units. Consequently, the MLP does not require absolute coordinates to learn spatial patterns, as the distance functions already encode these geometric relationships.
Key drawbacks of using coordinates in parallel with distance functions include:
In contrast, the interpolated nature of SDFs avoids this limitation. By eliminating the aforementioned redundancy, secondary variables interact directly with each SDF, enabling the perceptron to uncover more complex associations with reduced computational time and cost. This streamlined approach enhances both learning efficiency and model generalizability.
CONCLUSIONS
This article presents a novel geological modeling methodology that integrates the principles of implicit modeling through distance functions and enhances its performance using a MLP. This approach enables the incorporation of covariates, contributing to increased accuracy and representativeness of the resulting geological model. In the application case, rock density was used as a covariate, allowing the model to capture the complexity and continuity of geological units, mitigating limitations inherent to traditional interpolation methods that tend to fragment spatial representations. The performance analysis results, evaluated through various metrics such as precision, recall, F1-score, and Kappa, confirm that the IMLP method achieves an average relative improvement of approximately 10.1 % over the IM-RBF model.. This suggests that the use of MLP architectures not only improves the prediction of geological units but also facilitates process automation, reducing the time and effort required compared to hybrid methods. In summary, the proposed method represents a significant contribution to the field of geological modeling, offering a standardized, robust, and efficient approach that can be extended to real-world applications. Future work includes exploring variations in neural network types and other machine learning models, to be evaluated under the hypothesis that the IMLP model can be further improved. Additionally, future comparisons should be conducted in 3D cases using real geological unit data with more complex spatial distributions.
APPENDIX A. EVALUATION METRICS
The mathematical foundations of the evaluation criteria are systematized below, distinguishing between class-prediction metrics (Precision, Recall, F1-Score) and population-level reliability analysis (Kappa coefficient, κ).
(A1)
(A2)
(A3)
where:
TP: True Positives – correct positive predictions.
FP: False Positives – incorrect positive predictions.
TN: True Negatives – correct negative predictions.
FN: False Negatives – incorrect negative predictions.
(A4)
where:
(po): Observed agreement proportion (equivalent to Accuracy).
(pe): Expected agreement proportion by chance, calculated as:
(A5)
Author contributions. Heber Hernández: Conceptualization, Data Curation, Formal Analysis, Investigation, Methodology, Software, Validation, Visualization, Writing – Original Draft Preparation, Writing – Review & Editing. Martín Díaz-Viera: Methodology, Formal Analysis, Validation, Writing – Review & Editing. Guillermo Sanchez-Vera: Methodology, Supervision, Validation, Resources, Writing – Review & Editing. Sebastián Donaire: Investigation, Data Curation, Validation, Writing – Review & Editing. Jorge Morales-Leal: Resources, Validation, Writing – Review & Editing. All authors have read and agreed to this accepted version of the manuscript.
Data availability statement. The authors confirm that all data supporting the findings of this study are available in this article or its supplementary materials.
Declaration of competing interests. The authors declare that they have no competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have influenced the content of this paper.
Funding. This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.
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Editors:
Armando Altamira Areyán
Martín A. Díaz Viera
Eric Morales Casique
Luigi A. Solari
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