Preparation of Structure Contour Map

Monmohan Gogoi

Department of Applied Geology Dibrugarh University Dibrugarh Assam

MSc 4th semester roll no 3

Email : [email protected]

1. Introduction

A structure contour map is one of the most important tools for three-dimensional structural
interpretation because it represents the full three-dimensional form of a map horizon. The
mapping techniques to be discussed are equally applicable in surface and subsurface
interpretation. The usual steps required to produce a structure contour map are:
1. Plot the points to be mapped.
2. Determine an appropriate contour interval.
3. Interpolate the locations of the contour elevations between the control points. There are
several techniques for doing this and they may give very different results when only a small
amount of data is available.
4. Project data from multiple horizons to the map horizon in order to increase the number of
control points or

5. Map multiple surfaces and test the maps for compatibility.

2. Control Points
A structure contour map is prepared from the information at a number of observation points,
which is known as Control Points. The observations may be either any points on the surface, the
attitude of the surface, or both. A relatively smooth distribution of points is required. It depends
on the local maximum and minimum values of the elevation data. The first step in contouring is
always the identification of the neighboring points in all directions from a given data point. It is a
process to choose the neighbors between widely spaced lines of closely spaced points at random.
Before contouring,the lines of data points may need to be resampled on a convenient interval.

3. Structure contour maps

Structure contour maps are the same as topographic maps, where the surface being mapped is
some geologic surface, often in the subsurface. Geologic surfaces commonly mapped in this way
include a stratigraphic horizon, a fault surface, the top of the groundwater table, a seismic
reflection surface etc.
The surface does not have to be continuous everywhere, but can be truncated. For example the
surface created by the top of a sill can be truncated by a fault.

The contour map must have a scale in order to determine the relationship between the map and
the actual structural features. It also helps to enlarge or reduce the size of the map. The contour
interval is usually constant. However, at instances it can be changed with the steepness of the
dips. A small interval is suitable for low dips. If somewhere in the map the contour interval is
changed then the new interval should be a simple multiple or fraction of the original interval. At
the same time we must point the contour elevations and/or show the boundaries of the regions
where the interval is changed.

The contours must obey the following rules (modified from Sebring 1958; Badgley 1959; Bishop
1960):
1. Every contour must pass between points of higher and lower elevation.
2. Contour lines should not merge or cross except where the surface is vertical or is repeated due
to overturned folding or reverse faulting. The lower set of repeated contours should be dashed.
3. Contour lines should either close within the map area or be truncated by the edge of the map
or by a fault. Closed depressions are indicated by hash marks (tic marks) on the low side of the
inner bounding contour.
4. Contour lines are repeated to indicate reversals in the slope direction. Rarely will a contour
ever fall exactly on the crest or trough of a structure.
5. Faults cause breaks in a continuous map surface. Normal separation faults cause gaps in the
contoured horizon, reverse separation faults cause overlapping contours and vertical faults cause
linear discontinuities in elevation. Where beds are repeated by reverse faulting, it will usually be
clearer to prepare separate maps for the hanging wall and footwall.
6. The map should honor the trend or trends present in the area. Crestal traces, trough traces, fold
hinges and inflection lines usually form straight lines or smooth curves as appropriate for the
structural style.

4. Structural Style in contouring

Equal-spaced contouring (Fig. 1a) is based on the assumption of constant dip magnitude over as
much of the map area as possible. In the traditional approach, the dip selected is determined in an
area of tightest control. The same dip magnitude is then used over the entire map. Find the dip
from the control points with the three-point method or, if the dip is known, as from an outcrop
measurement or a dipmeter, find the contour spacing from the dip. This approach projects dips
into areas of no control or areas of flat dip and so will create large numbers of structures that
may be artifacts. Because of the great potential for producing nonexistent structural closures, this
method is usually not preferred.
Parallel contouring is based on the assumption that the contours are parallel, in other words, a
strong linear trend is present. The contours are drawn to be as parallel as possible and the spacing
between contours (the dip) is varied as needed to maintain the parallelism. The resulting map
may contain cusps and sharp changes in contour direction, but is good for areas with prominent
fold trends.

Fig 1: Different methods generate different contours (a). Equal spaced contouring (b). Parallel
contouring
In the same way based on different interpretation regarding different regional trends, we can
produce different contours. Interpretive contouring reflects the interpreter’s understanding of the
geology. The preferred results are usually regular, smooth and consistent with the local structural
style and structural grain. Generally, the principle of simplicity is applied and the least complex
interpretation that satisfies the data is chosen.

Fig 2: Same points generate different contours based on different interpretation (a) Regional
trend towards NE SW (b) Regional trend towards NW SE

5. Contouring techniques
The given sets of points can be shaped into a variety of shapes according to the user. There are
no absolute methods. Geological interpretation is a part of this process too. We can directly join
the points using triangulation methods (Triangulated Irregular Network TIN) or by Gridding.

In TIN the adjacent points are joined by drawing straight lines so that a number of triangles are
formed. But question arises from the fact that between 4 points different triangles can be drawn
from different point of view. It leads to confusion which way we have to proceed. Therefore an
important point to care about is that while drawing straight lines special care has to be taken to
obtain shortest lines.
Now the missing contour points are determined using the general arithmetic. It is followed by the
identification of all the missing points throughout the map. After completion of marking the
points we have to join all the points with equal value with freehand curve. Care should be taken
so that the contours will have same pattern.
In gridding the data is plotted in a regular grid. Then the calculations between two gridded
surfaces become easier.

Fig 3: (a) Triangulation method (b) Gridding Method

Now it is easy to process the contour map in order to obtain the structures. It involves some
general operation. We have to go for determination of dip. This can be done by calculating the
elevation vs horizontal distance in the map from the intersection of contour and structural surface.
When the dip is determined then all the structures can be drawn along a section in two
dimensions.

6. Mapping from profiles

With a slight variation in elevation data can cause huge changes in the structural map.

Fig 5: (a) oblique view showing section traces (b) A structure contour map
 Fig 6: (a) oblique view showing section traces (b) A structure contour map

If the bedding attitude is known from outcrop or dipmeter measurements, it can be incorporated
into the contouring. Attitudes at the well-bore or outcrop scale can give insight into the shape of
the surface but are subject to influence by small-scale structures.
7. Conclusion
Structural contour map is an important tool in structural analysis. It can provide us the necessary
structural data and also some ideas about the topography of the area.