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Measuring Linear Features in Drill Core 1693480506

This document discusses measuring linear structural features like lineations in drill core using the alpha, beta, and gamma angle measurement system. It begins by introducing the three angles and noting that gamma is often misunderstood but important for understanding geology. It then provides detailed instructions on how to measure each angle using both a clockwise tape or device and a kenometer. The document concludes by addressing common sources of error and providing an example of how alpha-beta-gamma measurements compare to direct compass measurements of the same feature.

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Mauricio De la Barra
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778 views13 pages

Measuring Linear Features in Drill Core 1693480506

This document discusses measuring linear structural features like lineations in drill core using the alpha, beta, and gamma angle measurement system. It begins by introducing the three angles and noting that gamma is often misunderstood but important for understanding geology. It then provides detailed instructions on how to measure each angle using both a clockwise tape or device and a kenometer. The document concludes by addressing common sources of error and providing an example of how alpha-beta-gamma measurements compare to direct compass measurements of the same feature.

Uploaded by

Mauricio De la Barra
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Measuring linear features in drill core

– using alpha, beta and gamma

Michael Outhwaite | Director & Principal Consultant | Lithify Pty Ltd


September 2023
www.lithify.com.au
Introductory notes
• I made this primarily to explain the gamma angle, which can be
used to measure linear features in drill core – e.g. slickenlines,
stretching lineations, mineral lineations, intersection lineations,
and fold axes

• The alpha and beta angles of the planar feature hosting the
lineation are also required, so are illustrated for completeness

• Many geologists are aware gamma exists, but there is a lot of


confusion about what it is, and how to measure it

• Linear features are commonly very important in understanding


the structure of geological districts and ore deposits – but are
measured much less often than their planar “cousins”

• I do not describe here how to recognise, interpret or use linear


structural data – that larger subject is documented elsewhere

• This body of this slideshow is in 3 parts:

• What gamma is (do not skip this – if you understand it,


you can visually validate your measurements, and
perform many fabulous tricks!)

• How to measure it with a “clockwise” tape or device

• How to measure it with a “kenometer”

• There are some additional notes at the end (so you don’t get
freaked out before you’ve even started)
1. Key elements to understand (and solve) the problem
2. How to mark up beta and gamma
3. What are the beta and gamma angles?
4. How to measure alpha (here with a kenometer)
5. How to measure beta – with a clockwise tape or device
6. How to measure gamma – with a clockwise tape or device
7. How to measure beta – with a kenometer
8. How to measure gamma – with a kenometer
Concluding notes (1)
• Yes: you can orient the core in space (e.g. rocket launcher), and
measure lineations directly with a compass – but a skilled alpha-
beta-gamma operator is faster and more accurate, in my view

• There are conflicting descriptions out there about gamma

• E.g. I once investigated with a client, and concluded that


what I called gamma, Acquire databases possibly call “pi”

• Regardless of what was right, Leapfrog has probably


cemented it by calling the angle gamma

• I have always marked gamma at the downhole end of the linear


feature, for consistency, as illustrated earlier

• Because it is referenced to beta, this means gamma


should always be 0-90° or 270-360°

• But I have found that the calculation produces the same


result if you measure the other end (e.g. gamma 150°,
rather than 330°)

• I have presented the basics here – some advanced aspects are:

• Measuring on cut core (me 90% of the time!)

• Measuring fold axes – to summarise: the reference planar


fabric is the fold axial plane, the linear feature is the fold
axis as it passes through the core centre-line (with skill
you can “project” an observed fold axis to this position)
Concluding notes (2)
• There are many ways to stuff up core structural measurements,
usually involving beta or gamma

• Confusion between devices is a common cause of error:

• With clockwise tapes/devices, you put the reference at


zero and read off the feature – hence the numbers on
these devices increase clockwise looking downhole

• With kenometers, you put the feature at zero and read


off the reference – hence the numbers on these devices
increase anti-clockwise looking downhole

• As a validation method when learning to measure gamma, I


strongly recommend visualising the core in space, and recording
what the measurement should convert to – e.g. “Steeply N-
plunging stretching” – then checking the calculated result
Example data
• Stereonet below shows real measurements of the same
stretching lineation, recorded from open pit exposures (black;
directly measured with a compass) and drill core beneath the
open pit (red; measured with alpha-beta-gamma)

• There is greater spread in the core data, as expected – it also


includes orientation line and downhole survey error – but the
mean values (and structural “meaning”) are ~the same

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