Journal of Petroleum Geology,
vol. 20(2), April 1997,
pp. 223-238
SUPPLEMENT
©Copyright 1997. Scientific Press, U.K. All rights reserved.
ANALOGUE
MODELLING: FROM A QUALITATIVE TO A QUANTITATIVE TECHNIQUE - A HISTORICAL OUTLINE
H. Koyi*
Analogue
modelling is a simplification of Nature; using this method, structures formed due to the
deformation of rocks, whose in situ properties may be poorly known, can be modelled and
investigated. Our lack of knowledge about "real " rocks is one of the major
limitations to any kind of modelling of deformation. However, unlike their counterparts in
Nature, the initial (undeformed) stages of analogue models can be documented, and can
easily be compared with their later, deformed stages. This comparison is essential to gain
an understanding of the evolution of the resulting structures. Analogue modelling is a
relatively simple and inexpensive technique which can be very valuable as long as its
limitations are well understood.
