Structural geologic modeling and subsurface process simulation are important tools in geoscience. Various software solutions—ranging from manual to semi-automated—are available in this field. These include proprietary and open-source software, often covering specific components of a larger workflow. Consequently, comprehensive workflows typically combine different software solutions and custom-built tools to address specific scenarios.
However, these workflows frequently require substantial manual adjustments and are tailored to particular applications, making reuse challenging without significant modifications by skilled professionals. In addition, it is not always possible to access all parts of a workflow, reducing transparency and the flexibility to modify components.
To address this issue, within the project WBGeo, supported by BMBF through the programme “Geoforschung für Nachhaltigkeit (GEO:N), Digitale Geosysteme: Virtuelle Methoden und digitale Werkzeuge für geowissenschaftliche Anwendungen”, we aim to develop a workbench for digital geosystems. This workbench enables the creation of complete workflows by integrating three core components: structural geologic modeling, numeric process simulation, and visualization as well as the interfaces between these components. A visual scripting environment using an underlying domain-specific language provides intuitive access for users with limited technical expertise. At the same time, the flexible modular structure ensures that experienced users have full access to the underlying code, allowing them to customize existing or add new components as needed.
This structure increases reproducibility, transparency, accessibility and comparability of workflows, as a multitude of components are available in a single framework.