ASGP (2010), vol. 80: 163-166

ESTING THE RANDOMNESS OF LITHOSTRATIGRAPHIC SUCCESSIONS WITH THE MARKOV CHAIN METHODS

Marek DOKTOR, Andrzej KRAWCZYK & Wojciech MASTEJ

AGH University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Geology, Geophysics and Environmental Protection, al. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Kraków, Poland, e-mails: doktor at agh.edu.pl, akraw at geolog.geol.agh.edu.pl, wmastej at agh.edu.pl

Doktor, M., Krawczyk, A. & Mastej, W., 2010. Testing the randomness of lithostratigraphic successions with the Markov Chain methods, Annales Societatis Geologorum Poloniae. 80: 163-166.

Abstract: The crucial role in the studies on layer successions in lithostratigraphic sections with the application of stochastic model of depositional processes represented by the Markov chain is played by correct estimation of the matrix of transition numbers between lithofacies expected in a random sequence. Methods known from the literature are iteration procedures, which do not ensure quick, general solution. Hence, we propose a universal method based upon the Monte Carlo simulation technique. This method enables the researcher to estimate precisely and reliably the expected matrix of facies transitions.