3-D blocks, depth slices, and surfaces

Where the fence diagram shows only the measured lines, the volumetric modes interpolate between lines to fill a continuous 3-D resistivity body, then render it three ways: a solid block, a stack of horizontal depth slices, and an iso-surface. Each is the same underlying volume seen through a different lens, and each answers a different question.

All scenes are interactive — orbit, zoom, and hover to probe the volume.

Load the survey

import os

from pycsamt.map import MapView


DATA = os.path.join(
    os.environ.get("PYCSAMT_DOCS_REPO_ROOT", "."), "data", "AMT", "WILLY_DATA"
)
mv = MapView.from_folder(DATA, recursive=True)
print(f"{mv.n_stations} stations across {len(mv.lines)} lines")

53 stations across 2 lines

The resistivity block

mode="block" renders the interpolated volume as a semi-transparent Plotly Volume — the most immediate “solid earth” view. Opacity lets you see conductive/resistive bodies suspended inside.

fig = mv.map3d(mode="block")
fig.update_layout(height=640, scene_aspectmode="cube")
fig

Depth slices

mode="depth" cuts the volume into a stack of horizontal constant-depth maps. Reading top to bottom is like peeling the survey downward one resistivity map at a time.

fig = mv.map3d(mode="depth", n_slices=6)
fig.update_layout(height=640, scene_aspectmode="cube")
fig

Iso-surface

mode="surface" draws iso-resistivity surfaces — the 3-D contour of a chosen resistivity value, which isolates the shape of a conductor or a resistive basement.

fig = mv.map3d(mode="surface")
fig.update_layout(height=640, scene_aspectmode="cube")
fig

The block, with stations

Overlaying the station markers ties the interpolated body back to where the data actually constrain it — a reminder that resistivity between lines is inferred, not measured.

fig = mv.map3d(mode="block", show_stations=True, station_size=3)
fig.update_layout(height=640, scene_aspectmode="cube")
fig

Next. So far the volume floats at nominal depth. The topography example drapes it over real surface elevation.