Developments in three-dimensional palaeogeographic and palaeotopographic reconstructions

“Simulation technology” is an important tool for modern scientific research and has been applicable to geological research, e.g. basin simulation. According to mass-balanced palaeogeographic reconstructions proposed by Hay et al (1989), palaeogeography, palaeotopography and palaeobathymetry of a closed erosional depositional system can be reconstructed by restoring sedimentary masses to elevated surfaces in a drainage basin based on the inverse of present erosion equations and adjusting for isostasy, sea level changes, sediment compaction, and thermal subsidence. A mass balanced palaeogeographic reconstruction in integration with GIS techniques is a quantitative description of the configuration of the earth's surface at a moment in the geologic past based on sedimentary mass balance, and presents a three dimensional view of a sedimentary basin and its source area