Scribd
Upload
20 views18 pages

222 Structural Mapping Practice

The document outlines the procedures and equipment necessary for structural mapping in geology, including field and camp requirements. It details methods for measuring geological structures such as plunge, trend, strike, dip, and linear structures using tools like compasses and clinometers. Additionally, it provides step-by-step instructions for accurately recording measurements of various geological features.

Uploaded by

Rock O
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
20 views18 pages

222 Structural Mapping Practice

The document outlines the procedures and equipment necessary for structural mapping in geology, including field and camp requirements. It details methods for measuring geological structures such as plunge, trend, strike, dip, and linear structures using tools like compasses and clinometers. Additionally, it provides step-by-step instructions for accurately recording measurements of various geological features.

Uploaded by

Rock O
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 18

Course: Structural Geology I,

Code: GEY 222.


Topic: Structural Mapping
Practice

In this section the procedures used


in the field to record geological
structures will be discussed ie
focuses upon structural mapping
Equipment
In addition to the usual field equipment— a hammer,
hand lens, acid bottle, pen knife and First Aid kit,
structural mapping requires the following:
In the field
Notebook: Stiff covered and waterproof, (20cm x 10cm is
an optimum size).
Map board: For base maps and/or aerial photographs,
non-magnetic (size approximately 30 cm x 25 cm).
Compass-clinometer.
Separate clinometer or level: Optional.
Altimeter .
Base maps: Detailed topographic maps at the appropriate
scales.
Aerial photographs: are extremely useful even when
good base maps are available; in particular for mapping
boundary features.
Mylar overlays: for aerial photographs.
In camp
In addition to the necessary drafting equipment,
stereographic projections and tracing paper, the
following are required:
Graph paper: for section construction.
Map wheel: for section construction.
Appropriate Geological Society Handbooks
How to measure structures

(a) Plunge is measured with the clinometer held


vertically and (b) trend is measured with the compass
held horizontally.
Minor fold axis plunging 20°
towards 120° and showing the
stereographic projection of the
minor fold axis.
Measurements with conventional compasses e.g. Silva
Ranger.
Strike and Dip method
Find the strike line (the horizontal line on the
planar structure) by using the Silva compass
as a clinometer and locating the direction of
Mark this line (the strike line) on the surface
using a soft pencil (B or HB). Zero dip on the
plane
2. Measure the azimuth of this line (i.e. its
direction from north)— this is the strike of the
plane. Record this angle, e.g. 000°.
3. Using your compass as a clinometer, place
the edge at 90° to the strike line and measure
the amount of maximum dip (Fig.). Record this
angle— 00° and record the direction of dip— SE.
Note: if the surface is rough or uneven an
average reading can be obtained by placing
your map board on the surface and taking your
measurements on this (Fig.).
Dip direction method
1. Using the compass as a clinometer find the
direction of maximum dip on the plane (Fig. a).
Mark this dip direction line on the surface and
measure the angle of maximum dip.
2. Place your notebook or. Mapboard along the
dip direction line and holding it vertical measure
the azimuth (direction) of the dip (Fig. b).
The techniques described above apply to the
measurement of any planar surface, e.g. bedding,
cleavage, schistosity, fold axial planes, joints,
fault planes and veins.
Methods for measuring— linear structures
Linear structures (i.e. lines) include
bedding/cleavage intersection lineations, mineral
stretching lineations, minor fold axes or hinge
lines, slickensides and crystal fibre structures.
All linear structures are measured in the same
way, either as a plunge or as a pitch in a plane. If
the fold axis is not horizontal, the fold is
plunging. If a plane exists that contains the
hinge line for each folded layer, it is called the
axial plane or axial surface.
● All linear structures
(a) Measurement of the plunge of a lineation L1 20°→060°
within the bedding plane. The angle 20° is measured in a
vertical plane (azimuth 060°) containing the lineation L,.
(b) The pitch of a lineation L1 is measured as 28°E from a
line striking 40° east in the bedding plane.
Measurements with conventional
compasses, e.g. Silva Ranger
Method 1a: Plunge of a lineation or fold
axis
1. Place the edge of your mapboard or notebook along
the linear structure to be measured (Fig.). Keeping the
mapboard or notebook vertical, measure the azimuth of
the direction of the plunge (Fig.).
2. Using the compass as a clinometer, measure
the plunge of the linear structure by placing the
edge of the compass along the structure (Fig.).
Plunge of the lineation 20°→060°.
Measure the
amount of plunge
of the fold axis by
placing the edge of
the Silva compass
on the fold axis and
using the
clinometer.
Measure the
amount of plunge
of the lineation L1
using the
clinometer of the
Method 1b: Pitch of a lineation

1. Find the
strike of the plane and Figs a and b. With your pencil
inscribe the strike line on the planar surface so that it
intersects the lineation L1 (Fig.c). Measure the strike
and dip of the plane.
Measurement of the pitch of the bedding/cleavage
intersection lineation L1 on the bedding plane using the
Silva compass. Mark the strike line on the bedding plane
and determine the strike and dip of the bedding as in
Fig. 2.5. Using the Silva compass as a protractor, place it
on the bedding plane and measure the angle between
the strike of the bedding and the lineation L1 on the
bedding plane
Lay your compass on the plane that you have
measured, and use it as a protractor by aligning
the edge of the compass along the strike line and
rotate the calibrated outer ring until the reference
arrow is parallel to the strike line. Note this
reading on the outer ring. Now rotate this
calibrated outer ring until the reference arrow is
parallel to the lineation (Fig. b) and note this new
reading and the direction of the pitch of the line.
The difference between the two readings is the
pitch of the L1 in the plane.
Note: The method of measuring pitches is most
useful on steeply dipping planes where accurate
determinations of plunge can be difficult, and
when the lineation itself is steeply plunging,
making accurate plunge determinations difficult

You might also like