Several very good public domain geostatistical mapping and modeling packages are available to anyone with access to a personal computer. In this section, five software packages are reviewed, with information on how to obtain them. For a more complete review, see the article by Clayton (1994).
The geostatistical packages STATPAC, Geo-EAS, GEOPACK, Geostatistical Toolbox, and GSLIB are reviewed according to their approximate chronological order of appearance in the public domain. These packages are fairly
sophisticated, reflecting the evolution in personal computer graphics, interfaces, and advances in geostatistical technology.
These programs are placed into the public domain with the understanding that the user is ultimately responsible for its proper use. Geostatistical algorithms are complicated to program and debug, considering all the possible combinations of hardware and operating systems.
Another word of caution is that the different authors use different nomenclature and mathematical conventions, which just confuses the issue further. The International Association of Mathematical Geologists has attempted to standardize geostatistical jargon through the publication of Geostatistical Glossary and Multilingual Dictionary, edited by Richardo Olea.
STATPAC
STATPAC (STATistical PACkage) is a collection of general-purpose statistical and geostatistical programs developed by the U. S. Geological Survey. The programs were complied in their current form by David Grundy and A. T. Miesch.
It was released as USGS Open-File Report 87-411-A, 87-411-B, and 87-411-C, and was lasted updated in May 1988.
The programs were originally developed for use in applied geochemistry and petrology within the USGS. The geostatistical program only works for
2-dimensional spatial data analysis. This early program was developed for the older XT PCs, and thus does not take advantage of the quality graphical routines now available. The limited graphic capabilities may discourage beginning practitioners from using this software, even though STATPAC may have some advantages over other public domain software (Clayton, 1994).
Order STATPAC from the following sources:
Books and Open-File Reports U. S. Geological Survey Federal Center
P. O. Box 25425 Denver, CO 80225
Telephone: (303) 236-7476 Order Reports: OF 87-411-A, B, C Cost: About $100
Cost: call or fax for current pricing GEO-EAS
Evan Englund (USGS) and Allen Sparks (Computer Sciences Corporation) developed Geo-EAS (Geostatistical Environmental Assessment Software) for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for environmental site assessment and monitoring of data collected on a spatial network. Version 1.2.1 was compiled in July 1990.
Geo-EAS provides practical geostatistical applications for individuals with a working knowledge of geostatistical concepts. The integrated program layout, interface design, and excellent user's manual makes this an excellent
instructional or self-study tool for learning geostatistical analysis (Clayton, 1994) Order Geo-EAS from the following sources:
Computer Oriented Geological Survey P. O. Box 370246
Denver, CO 80237
Telephone: (303) 751-8553 Cost: call for current pricing
National Technical Information Service Springfield, VA 22161
Telephone: (707) 487-4650 Fax: (703) 321-8547 Cost: about $100 IGWMC USA
Institute for Ground-Water Research and Education Colorado School of Mines
Golden, CO 80401-1887 Telephone: (303) 273-3103 Fax: (303) 272-3278 Cost: call for current pricing GeoApplications
P. O. Box 41082 Tucson, AZ 85717-1082 Telephone: (602) 323-9170 Fax: (602) 327-7752
Cost: call or fax for current pricing GEOPAC
This is a geostatistical package suitable for teaching, research and project work released by the EPA. S. R. Yates (U. S. Department of Agriculture) and M. V.
Yates (University of California-Riverside) developed GEOPACK. Version 1.0 was released in January 1990.
GEOPACK is useful for mining, petroleum, environmental, and research projects for individuals who do not have access to a powerful workstation or mainframe computer. It is designed for both novice and experienced geostatistical
practitioners (Clayton, 1994) Order GEOPACK from:
Computer Oriented Geological Survey P. O. Box 370246
Denver, CO 80237
Telephone: (303) 751-8553 Cost: call for current pricing
“GEOPACK”
Robert S. Kerr Environmental Research Laboratory Office of Research and Development
U. S. EPA Ada, OK 74820 IGWMC USA
Institute for Ground-Water Research and Education
Colorado School of Mines Golden, CO 80401-1887 Telephone: (303) 273-3103 Fax: (303) 272-3278 Cost: call for current pricing GEOSTATISTICALTOOLBOX
FSS International, a consulting company specializing in natural resources and risk assessment, makes Geostatistical Toolbox available to the public. The program was developed and written by Roland Froidevaux, with Version 1.30 released in December 1990.
Geostatistical Toolbox provides a PC based interactive, user-friendly geostatistical toolbox for workers in mining, petroleum, and environmental
industries. It is also suitable for teaching and academic applications. The program has been rigorously tested and is recommended for anyone wanting an excellent 2-dimensional geostatistical package.
Order Geostatistical Toolbox from the following sources:
Computer Oriented Geological Survey P. O. Box 370246
Denver, CO 80237
Telephone: (303) 751-8553 Cost: call for current pricing
FSS International Offices at:
800 Millbank
The GSLIB is a library of geostatistical programs developed at Stanford
University under the direction of Andre Journel, director of the Stanford Center for Reservoir Forecasting. Oxford University Press published the user‟s guide and FORTRAN programs authored by Clayton Deutsch and Andre Journel (1992).
GSLIB addresses the needs of graduate students and advanced geostatistical practitioners, but is also a useful resource for the novice. GSLIB is the most advanced public domain geostatistical software available, offering full 2-D and 3-D applications. The program library does not contain executable code, but rather uncompiled ASCII FORTRAN program listings. These programs will run on any
computer platform that can compile FORTRAN. Although the user‟s guide is well written and documents the program in an organized text-like fashion, with theoretical background, the novice may find introductory texts, such as Hohn (1988) or Isaaks and Srivastava (1989), useful supplementary reading.
Order GSLIB from the following sources:
Oxford University Press Business and Customer Service 2001 Evans Road
Cary, NJ 27513
Telephone: 1-800-451-7756
Order: GSLIB: Geostatistical Software Library and User’s Guide by Clayton V.
Deutsch and Andre Journel (ISBN 0-19-507392-4) Cost: $49.95 plus $2.50 postage
You can also order this book through most bookstores.