Subsurface Map and 3D model of CARG Ragusa Sheet 648 (Hyblean Plateau, SE Sicily, Italy)

3D geological models are useful tools for mapping lithological units and main tectonic structures in the subsurface, using seismic, and borehole data. Recently, the CARG Project has started to promote subsurface mapping and 3D geological modelling of geological sheets at 1:50,000 scale to provide a better geological framework and a high-impact applicative tool. The CARG Ragusa Sheet 648 at 1:50,000 map scale, covers part of the Hyblean Plateau in SE Sicily. It represents a culmination of the Mesozoic-Cenozoic carbonate sedimentary succession, part of a larger crustal sector known as Pelagian Block, representing the northernmost margin of the African Plate. Since the 1950s, the Hyblean Plateau has been an area of great interest for hydrocarbon exploration. Exploration focussed in the Ragusa area, where the Ragusa Oil and Gas field has been discovered on 1954. Therefore, an important research activity has been carried out through several seismic surveys and drilled wells by ENI for over half a century. A large amount of subsurface data (wells and seismics) is available and has been kindly provided by ENI S.p.A. However, vintage seismic data are made available in analog (paper, raster) format. The vectorization of these data then constitutes an essential first step. Scanned images of stacked reflection seismic data need to be digitised, in order to work with modern tools. The geophysics logs permit correlation of lithological units and sonic logs are used to create a velocity model. This will serve to convert seismic data from time to depth. Subsurface data will be later integrated with surface mapping, geological sections and biostratigraphic data, to obtain a comprehensive view of the area, with focus on active tectonic structures and natural resources.