1. Geology Geomath
Estimating the coefficients of linear, exponential, polynomial, logarithmic, and power law expressions
tom.h.wilson
Department of Geology and Geography
West Virginia University
Morgantown, WV
Tom Wilson, Department of Geology and Geography

2. Hand back test and answer questions.
Tom Wilson, Department of Geology and Geography

3. Objectives -
Show how the computer can be used to estimate the coefficients of various quantitative relationships in geology.
These include:
the linear age-depth relationship discussed by Waltham
the exponential porosity depth relationship
polynomial relationship between temperature and depth
and general power law relationships such as the Gutenberg-Richter relation
Tom Wilson, Department of Geology and Geography

4. Look over problems 4.7 and 4.10
4.7 considers the relationship between bottomset bed thickness and distance from the foot of the delta.
4.10 involves more practice with units.
Tom Wilson, Department of Geology and Geography

5. Today we take a closer look at several familiar quantitative models using Excel
The thickness of a bottomset bed at the foot of a delta can often be well approximated by
Where t is the thickness, x is the distance from the bottomset bed start and t0 and X are constants.
Problem 4.7
Tom Wilson, Department of Geology and Geography

6. Curve fitting: testing the viability of your mathematical model
Are these processes accurately represented using an exponential decay model?
Tom Wilson, Department of Geology and Geography

7. Where else does line fitting come in handy? Basic pump test data
Original data showing drawdown during pumping and recovery after pumping ceased.
Recovery phase data after transformation, which includes a log transformation of the observation times.
Tom Wilson, Department of Geology and Geography

8. A pilot carbon sequestration site here in the Appalachians
Tom Wilson, Department of Geology and Geography

9. Tom Wilson, Department of Geology and Geography

10. Residual track relative to the regression line for a horizontal well
Landing the drill string: trial and error
Tom Wilson, Department of Geology and Geography

11. Some due dates to put on the calendar
Problems 4.7 and 4.10 are due next Tuesday.
Computer lab – Estimating coefficients of various mathematical relationships in geology will be due next Thursday, March 14.
start reading Chapter 8 – Differential Calculus
Tom Wilson, Department of Geology and Geography

12. Let’s get started on today’s lab
Estimating the coefficients of various Mathematical relationships in Geology
Tom Wilson, Department of Geology and Geography