Digital data for three-dimensional geologic framework model of the Rio San Jose groundwater basin, New Mexico

This data release contains a geospatial database related to a digital 3D geologic framework of the Rio San Jose watershed, New Mexico. The geospatial database contains two main data elements: (1) input data to the 3D framework model; (2) interpolated elevations and thicknesses of stratigraphic units as a cellular array. Input surface and subsurface data for 18 stratigraphic units have been condensed to points that define the elevation of the top of each stratigraphic unit; these point data sets serve as the digital input to the framework model. The point data are derived from geologic maps, cross sections, oil and gas wells, water wells, structure contour maps, and thickness maps. Additional input geologic features that either cut or overlay the stratigraphic units in the model are provided as separate features classes, including the location of faults, volcanic dikes, and volcanic vents.
The interpolated elevations and thickness of stratigraphic units are presented as a cellular array: essentially a “flattened”, two-dimensional representation of the digital 3D geologic framework, which defines the elevation and thickness of 18 geologic units within the geologic framework model. The elevation and thickness of the geologic units are contained within a single polygon feature class ModelCells, which contains a mesh of polygons that represent model cells that have multiple attributes including XY location, elevation and thickness of each geologic unit. The elevation and thickness of the geologic units are also provided as individual raster layers in geoTIFF format. The 3D model output is described in a file as an ascii array of points: the 3D model was sampled within a 3D modeling program with a 3D array of nodes with 500-m spacing in the X and Y directions and 50-m in the Z direction. The 3D model was sampled at each node and the model unit intersected at the node saved as a coded value. This array of X,Y,Z coordinates and the coded formation values is presented as a CSV ascii file. The spatial data are accompanied by non-spatial tables that describe the sources of geologic information, a glossary of terms, a description of model units, and a Data Dictionary that duplicates the Entity and Attribute information contained in the metadata file. Spatial data are also presented as shapefiles.