List of free geology software explained

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This is a list of free and open-source software for geological data handling and interpretation. The list is split into broad categories, depending on the intended use of the software and its scope of functionality.

Notice that 'free and open-source' requires that the source code is available and users are given a free software license. Simple being 'free of charge' is not sufficient—see gratis versus libre.

Well logging & Borehole visualisation

NameDescriptionOriginatorLicensePlatformsLanguageNotes
SGS-Geobase [1] Drilling data logger that can interface with SGS GenesisSGS Canada Inc.GPLWindows & Microsoft AccessMicrosoft Access VBAMicrosoft Access is not necessary, the free runtime is sufficient. Simple graphical interface, Integrity reinforcement, Reporting tools, Satellite Database, Database Validation, Assays QA/QC management with graphics.
QGeoloGISQGIS well log and timeseries visualisation pluginOslandia, Orano and CEAGPLv2 or laterCross-platformPythonInterfaces with QGIS
OpenGeoPlotterMineral exploration drill hole data visualization and cross section generator, strip logs, stereonet https://github.com/bsomps/OpenGeoPlotterGPLCross-platformPythonOpen source PyQt5 app catered to the exploration industry

Geostatistics

NameDescriptionOriginatorLicensePlatformsLanguageNotes
Gstat[3] Geostatistical modeling and simulationUtrecht UniversityGPLCross-platformC/C++Interfaces with GRASS
gslib[4] Geostatistical modeling and simulationStanford UniversityMITFortran 77
PyGSLIB[5] Python module for geostatistical modeling, designed for mineral resource estimationOpengeostat ConsultingMIT/GPLWindows, Linux and OSXFortran 95, Cython and PythonIt has functions for drillhole calculations, block modeling, wireframing and geostatistics with modified gslib code linked into python

Geomodeling

NameDescriptionOriginatorLicensePlatformsLanguageNotes
GeoSyntax[7] Reservoir modelingCSIRO Australia - June HillCSIRO "MIT/BSD" (academic)Microsoft WindowsJava
GeoBlock[8] Reservoir modelingPavel VassilievMPLMicrosoft WindowsObject PascalExact terms not clear
GeoTrace[9] Tracer modelingMuhammed CelikMicrosoft WindowsVisual BasicExact terms not clear
Albion[10] 3D model reconstruction and visualisation from boreholes based on QGIS GIS PlatformOslandia[11] and ArevaGPLv2 or laterCross-platformPythonInterfaces with QGIS
GemPy[12] 3D structural geological modelingCGRE Institute, RWTH Aachen - Miguel de la VargaLGPL v3Cross-platformPythonOpen-source implicit geological modeling that allows for automation of model construction and is aimed to enable the implementation of probabilistic machine-learning methods, e.g. for uncertainty analysis.

Visualization, interpretation & analysis packages

NameDescriptionOriginatorLicensePlatformsLanguageNotes
Dapple[13] Virtual globe for geoscientistsGeosoft Inc.MITWindowsOriginated in NASA World Wind
Estereografica Web[14] Stereographic projection and fault kinematicsReyuntecPublic domainCross-platformASP.netFree web application (english and spanish)
Generic Mapping Tools[15] Map generation and analysisLamont–Doherty and University of HawaiiGPLCross-platformCImplemented in OpendTect
GPlates[16] Interactive visualization of plate tectonicsUniversity of Sydney, Caltech, NGUGPLCross-platformC++, PythonImplements GPML
OpenStereo[17] [18] Geoscience plotting toolCarlos Grohmann, University of São PauloGPLCross-platformPythonDepends on NumPy and Matplotlib
OpendTect[19] Geoscience interpretation and visualizationdGB Earth SciencesGPL or customCross-platformC++Interfaces with GMT
Modelgeo[20] General 3D mathematics with modelling and visualization of geoscience dataModelGeo ASFree for non-profit useWindowsC++, TCLOriginally a petroleum geology program, reads all common geology and geophysics data formats
ParaViewGeo[21] Geoscience extension of ParaView Includes readers and filtersKitware ParaView, Objectivity Originally MIRARCOBSDCross-platformC++, PythonAdds specific readers, stereo toolbar, slideshow capability and mining and geology oriented filters to Paraview
PuffinPlot[22] Paleomagnetic data visualization and analysisPontus LurcockGPL v3Cross-platformJavaDesktop GUI and Jython scripting interface.
geoh5py library[23] Python library for the manipulation and storage of a wide range of geoscientific data (points, curve, surface, 2D and 3D grids) in geoh5 file format, natively supported by Geoscience ANALYST free 3D viewerMira Geoscience Ltd.LPGL 3.0Cross-platformPythonDocumentation and tutorials fully available in ReadTheDocs
geoapps repository[24] The geoapps repository are open-source geoscientific applications in Python, including geophysical data processing, modelling, and inversion codesMira Geoscience Ltd.MITCross-platformPythonDocumentation and tutorials fully available in ReadTheDocs

Geographic information systems (GIS)

This important class of tools is already listed in the article List of GIS software.

Not true free and open-source projects

The following projects have unknown licensing, licenses or other conditions which place some restriction on use or redistribution, or which depend on non-open-source software like MATLAB or XVT (and therefore do not meet the Open Source Definition from the Open Source Initiative).

NameDescriptionOriginatorLicensePlatformsLanguageNotes
Noddy[25] 3D geological and geophysical modelingTectask, IUGSCustom permissive licenseMicrosoft WindowsC++Uses proprietary XVT libraries; requires (free) registration
BasinVis,[26] [27] Basin visualization of sedimentary fill and subsidenceEun Young Lee, Johannes NovotnyLICENSECross-platformMatlab
Geomodelr[28] Geological modelling from cross sectionsGeomodelr, Inc.SaaS - AGPLCross-platformPythonAllows creation of public geological models in its web platform for free and query the model with an Open Source Python Package
BGS Groundhog Desktop[29] Geological modelling from cross sectionsBritish Geological SurveyOGL - Open Government LicenceMS WindowsFree to use software to digitize geological cross-sections, and display and edit borehole logs
Geoscience ANALYST[30] Free 3D visualization and communication software for integrated, multi-disciplinary geoscience and mining data and models, which also connects to Python through geoh5py, its open-source APIMira Geoscience Ltd.Free / ProprietaryMicrosoft WindowsC++Free license key is automatically emailed upon request, and the software is permanently free

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Geological Software, 3D Modelling, QAQC and Resource Estimation | Genesis. 26 September 2023 .
  2. Web site: GeoTriple - Oil&Gas Exploration - About.
  3. http://gstat.org Gstat website
  4. Web site: Geostatistical Software Library. gslib.com. 30 January 2024.
  5. Web site: opengeostat/pygslib. GitHub. 2016-09-09.
  6. Web site: Virtual Geoscience Workbench. 13 March 2016 .
  7. Web site: CSIRO Data Access Portal.
  8. Web site: Geoblock. geoblock.sourceforge.net. 30 January 2024.
  9. http://www.geoseis.tr.gg/ GeoTrace website
  10. Web site: Oslandia / Albion.
  11. Web site: OSLANDIA. 30 January 2024.
  12. de la Varga . Miguel . Schaaf . Alexander . Wellmann . Florian . GemPy 1.0: open-source stochastic geological modeling and inversion . Geoscientific Model Development . 12 . 1 . 2019. 10.5194/gmd-12-1-2019 . free . 1–32. 2164/11751 . free .
  13. http://dapple.geosoft.com Dapple website
  14. http://estereo.reyuntec.ar/ Estereografica Web
  15. http://gmt.soest.hawaii.edu Generic Mapping Tools
  16. Web site: GPlates. www.gplates.org. 30 January 2024.
  17. Web site: Welcome .
  18. Web site: OpenStereo – an open source, cross-platform structural geology analysis software — OpenStereo 0.9.0 documentation.
  19. Web site: dGB Earth Sciences - Innovative Seismic Interpretations Solutions. dgbes.com. 30 January 2024.
  20. Web site: HOME. modelgeo. 30 January 2024.
  21. Web site: ParaviewGeo . 2020-03-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180329081746/http://paraviewgeo.objectivity.ca/ . 2018-03-29 . dead .
  22. Lurcock, P. C. and G. S. Wilson (2012), PuffinPlot: A versatile, user-friendly program for paleomagnetic analysis, Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, 13, Q06Z45,
  23. Web site: Mira Geoscience Python Integration > geoh5py . 2024-06-04 . en-US.
  24. Web site: Mira Geoscience Python Integration > geoapps . 2024-06-05 . en-US.
  25. Web site: Noddy . 2011-02-16 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180120065617/http://www.tectonique.net/tectask/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=23 . 2018-01-20 . dead .
  26. Web site: BasinVis 2.0.
  27. Lee E.Y., Novotny J., Wagreich M. (2016) BasinVis 1.0: A MATLAB®-based program for sedimentary basin subsidenceanalysis and visualization. Computers & Geosciences 91, 119–127. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cageo.2016.03.013
  28. https://geomodelr.com Geomodelr website
  29. Web site: Groundhog v2.8. 30 January 2024.
  30. Web site: Geophysical Software & Free 3D Viewer to Download . 2024-06-05 . en-US.