  We have developed an open-source software package (SedSimple) for
stratigraphic forward modeling. It is aimed for use in research and education.
The package uses ASCII files for input and output to facilitate understanding,
debugging and preparation of multiple data sets though simple user-developed
scripts. A free graphic program is available to assist in editing input and
rendering results in 3D plus geologic time animation. The open-source concept
offers the ability to understand the algorithm in detail, and modify or extend
it as needed. Several algorithms are available in the program to model various
sedimentary environments and processes, including alluvial, fluvial,
turbiditic, carbonatic, deep-sea clastic, wave action, vertical tectonics and
sea-level changes. These processes can be run concurrently. Furthermore, the
effect of some processes can be made to affect others (for example wave action
can affect carbonate growth, while also causing erosion and redistribution of
the deposits). The algorithms are fully deterministic. As most forward models
of natural environments, the results cannot be readily conditioned to data.
However, the model is much faster than similar commercial packages of the same
resolution. Therefore, we foresee that one of the main uses of the package will
be to study workflows that require multiple realizations to obtain statistical
predictions, such as Monte Carlo methods, combination with geostatistical
methods, artificial intelligence and machine learning that require multiple
inputs of geologically realistic models.
