Geostatisitcs is both a study and technology for analysis and research of object and event distribution across geographical space by methods of statistics. Theoretical foundation of geostatistics is represented by variogram-based analysis (kriging). As a rule, objects, events and processes located close to each other in space have more similar features among them comparing to more distant ones.

Variogram is the graph that represents dependency of feature dispersion on the distance between certain locations. This dependency is then used for space interpolation, hence prediction of values and features of objects in other locations. To give an example, by knowing the ground surface altitude values in a number of points, we can plot a variogram that will give an estimation of altitude in unknown points between them.

Geostatistics finds its primary use in:

• Geology
• Climatology
• Soil science
• Ecology

Overall, this discipline is highly demanded these days because of expansion activities, exploring and settling in new territories. If you see your future connected with study of Geostatistics, there are plenty educational programs offering a geostatistics course of different duration.

Typical Plan of Geostatistic Course

Geostatistics Course

Short-term courses in Geostatistics are intended for people who already have basic geographical knowledge, or work in the sphere connected to geography. Such instant courses have duration of 1 to 2 weeks. The course starts with theoretical basis, methods of object and event representation for using in geostatistic models and variable modeling.

Variable modeling is an advanced method, which allows representing even complex moving natural objects. Then you pass to methods of analysis, first of all kriging. You will learn how to solve different kind of mathematical and statistical problems in order to plot correct variograms.

These problems include:

• Iinterpolation
• Estimation
• Imitative modeling
• Quantitative calculus
• Probability calculus.

After you’ve mastered these tasks, you will try to build a variogram yourself. It is the practical part of geostatistics course.

You will learn how to model variable objects and events in 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional spaces. Solid body models, models of cyclic events, models of singular events – all these will be discussed. In the end of the course, you will be able to plot variograms rather quickly, and make all necessary analysis that will allow making precise predictions.

Practical part of the course as a rule includes outings to rural landscape for seeing how the methods of collecting the data and analysis work right in the field. Chances are you will be involved in one of research projects in geostatistics right away.

Where to Apply for Educational Program in Geostatistics?

There is no problem nowadays to find a decent school that offers geostatistics programs. Here is the list of some schools which incorporate relevant courses.

1. EduMine, the educational department of InfoMine company. It is a fully certified school which holds repetitive courses in geostatistics with different duration (usually from a couple of days to a week). Courses are planned to accommodate even those listeners who don’t have any prior knowledge to statistics.
2. University of Alberta. Incorporates intensive learning course during for 4 weeks. You will go through a bunch of consolidating exercises and accomplish a course project. Lectures take place in the morning, so maybe not a suitable variant for people with a job.
3. Quantitative Group. Offers premium consulting and training in geostatistics. Professional development geostatistics course is intendend for people already dealing with the sphere of geology/geography or any related branch.
4. The University of Adelaide. Offers a course that covers complete theoretical base and practical drill in Geostatistics. Future students can appreciate benefits of this course as it focuses on application of Geostatistics in mineral scouting, geomodeling and estimation of environmental alterations. Course aims to give all the knowledge and skill for immediate application in working spheres connected with geostatistics.

• First, find an area where you can have an easy access to buried rock. Cutouts for highways can be a good place to look. Many times these have carved through many centuries of deposits.


Learning geology

• Bring your camera with you to take some pictures of layers. You can either make enlargements or just to make a sketch of the site. This is very useful since you will be able to label the different layers. It’s also great because in such a way you can store materials for future expeditions and, which is very important, raise your skills.
• A file cabinet will allow you to sore samples. Then you can use your early samples for future explorations.
• Visit libraries to get more useful information. Reading the rock and geology books in the library, you get more geo-conscious. As your knowledge increases, you will be able to figure out which samples are common and which are a real treasure.
• Do you know how to identify rock samples next day? It’s easy. Just mark the rock sample that attracts your interest. You can mark it on the photo or sketch.
• Date all samples and your sketch of the site.
• Talking to elderly people who live in the area for a long time has many benefits. These people can show you interesting places like, for example, sink holes.
• Explore old river and creek beds, where some treasure samples can be exposed.
• Safety is very important. Geology involves a certain risk, connected with climbing. Remember there’s safety in numbers. Being with other people makes a situation or activity less dangerous.
• You may eventually want to invest in your own resource materials when you know what you want to look for in terms of content.