Geostatistics is a branch of statistics focused on analyzing and interpreting spatial or spatiotemporal data. It employs techniques such as kriging to make predictions about unknown values based on the spatial correlation of observed data points. Commonly used in fields like geology, environmental science, and mining, geostatistics helps in modeling phenomena that vary across geographic space, enabling better decision-making in resource management and environmental assessments.
Geostatistics theory was developed in the 1950s by French engineer Georges Matheron while working in the mining industry. Matheron's work laid the foundation for geostatistics as a statistical approach for analyzing spatial data and has since been widely applied in various fields such as geology, ecology, and environmental science.
Geostatistics in the mining industry helps to improve resource estimation accuracy, optimize mine planning and design, and assess risk and uncertainty in decision-making processes. By incorporating spatial variability and relationships within data, geostatistics enables more informed and data-driven decision-making, ultimately leading to more efficient and profitable mining operations.
George Christakos has written: 'Modern Spatiotemporal Geostatistics - Studies in Mathematical Geology, 6. -'
no country developed it, of course, but maybe you could say that the work of Krige started the field. He was South African.
The regression effect in geostatistics refers to the phenomenon where extreme values in a dataset tend to be followed by more moderate values upon subsequent measurements or observations. This effect is often observed in spatial data, where the spatial correlation can lead to an underestimation or overestimation of values in areas with high or low extremes. Essentially, it highlights the tendency of measurements to gravitate towards the mean, leading to a smoothing of extreme observations in spatial predictions. This concept is crucial for understanding and improving the accuracy of geostatistical models and predictions.
Joseph A. Hevesi has written: 'Precipitation estimation in mountainous terrain using multivariate geostatistics' -- subject(s): Statistical methods, Geology, Precipitation (Meteorology), Precipitation forecasting, Measurement 'Preliminary estimates of spatially distributed net infiltration and recharge for the Death Valley Region, Nevada-California' -- subject(s): Groundwater flow, Seepage
That's a big question, because it depends on alot of things. If I were you, I'd try to get into a course. These tend to be expensive and hard to find though. If you forgo the official certification, you can still access a few geostats courses (including worked examples) on Edumine by paying for a monthly access fee (something like $40 CDN). You and I are in the same boat, actually! Good luck!
Charles V Eidsvik is a notable authority in the field of reservoir characterization and modeling. He has written several research papers and books focusing on geostatistics, mathematical modeling, and uncertainty quantification in reservoir engineering. Eidsvik has also made significant contributions to the study of stochastic modeling in the context of subsurface hydrocarbon reservoirs.
Lateral correlation is the relationship between two adjacent points or data values within a system or dataset. It is used to analyze spatial patterns, such as how similar or dissimilar neighboring values are in a given context, like in geostatistics or image processing. Lateral correlation helps identify trends or patterns that exist horizontally or laterally across the data.
A trend in a variogram refers to a systematic increase or decrease in the spatial variance of a dataset as the distance between sampled points increases. This trend can indicate underlying patterns in the data, such as a directional bias or a gradual change in the mean value across the study area. In geostatistics, it's important to identify and model trends before fitting a variogram, as they can affect the interpretation of spatial correlation and the accuracy of predictions. By accounting for trends, analysts can improve the reliability of spatial analyses and modeling efforts.
Take your pick from any of the following: atmospheric chemistry, climatology, meteorology, hydrometeorology, paleoclimatology, biogeography, paleontology, palynology, micropaleontology, geomicrobiology, geoarchaeology, hydrology, geohydrology, limnology, oceanography, chemical oceanography, physical oceanography, biological oceanography, geological oceanography, paleoceanography, geology, economic geology, engineering geology, environmental geology, quaternary geology, planetary geology, sedimentology, stratigraphy, structural geology, geography, physical geography, geochemistry, geomorphology, geophysics, geochronology, geodynamics, geomagnetism, gravimetry, seismology, glaciology, hydrogeology, mineralogy, crystallography, gemology, petrology, speleology, volcanology, soil science, edaphology, pedology, cartography, geoinformatics, geostatistics and geodesy, to name but a few.
Statistics play a crucial role in geography by providing tools to analyze and interpret spatial data. Geographic information systems (GIS) heavily rely on statistical methods to analyze patterns, trends, and relationships within geographic data. By using statistical techniques, geographers can make informed decisions, identify spatial patterns, and understand complex geographical phenomena. Ultimately, statistics help geographers to better understand the world around us and make informed decisions in areas such as urban planning, environmental management, and public health.