Field Geology

2010-2011
Ibrahim M.J. Mohialdeen,
MSc,PhD

Lecture 3
id820187 pdfMachine by Broadgun Software - a great PDF writer! - a great PDF creator! - http://www.pdfmachine.com http://www.broadgun.com
Subject: Field measurements and Techniques
* lecturers name: Ibrahim M.J. Mohialdeen
* Contacts: Tel: 0770 142 6262, Email: ibrahim.jaza@univsul.net
*Subject objective:
The instruments which are used in the geological procedures during field works
are very important and the geologist should be experience with them. In this
lecture you will learn how to measure dip and strike of beds and how to plot
them on the map. The plan of the first trip on Thursday will be discussed.
*Scientific content of the subject:
Strike and dip of beds
Measurements
Plotting methods
Folds , faults and joints
Field trip No.1 Guide lines
*Subject references:
- Mikhailov,A.Ye.,1987, Structural geology and geological mapping, Mir Publishers, Moscow, 535p.
- Compton, R.R., 1962, Manual of Filed Geology, John Wiley and Sons, New York, 378p.
- Barnes, J.W., 1995, Basic Geological Mapping, 3rd ed., John Wiley and Sons, Chichester,
133p.
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Field measurements and techniques
Lecture 3:
Field measurements and techniques
Measuring strike and dip:
Strike: it is the direction of the intersection
of the surface with any horizontal plane.
Dip: it is the maximum angle of slope of
the surface. The dip is an angle in a
vertical plane and must always be
measured downward from the horizontal
plane. The direction of dip is perpendicular
to the strike.
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Method 1: Contact method, this is the commonest of all.
Use it where the surface to be measured is smooth and
even.
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Method 2: This method is largely used for uneven
planes of relatively low dip. Estimate a strike
line a meter or more long, then stand over it with
your compass opened out and held parallel to it
at waist height.
Method 3: This gives reliable measurements of
strike and dip in regions where large areas of
moderately dipping bedding planes are
exposed or where surfaces are too uneven
to measure in any other way.
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Method 2
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Method 3
Measurement of dip Measurement of Strike
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Method 3
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Plotting strike and dip:
Plot strike and dip immediately you have measured them.
Use the way pencil-on-point (POP) (after Barnes, 1991).
It takes only a few second , as follows:
1-Place your pencil on the point on the map where the
observation was made ( Fig a).
2-Use your pencil as a fulcrum and slide your protractor
along it until the origin of the protractor lies on the
nearest north-south grid line; then still keeping the
protractor origin on the grid, slide and rotate the
protractor around your pencil still further, until it reads
the correct bearing (Fig b).
3-Draw the strike line through the observation point
along the edge of the protractor (Fig. c).
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Plotting strike and dip:
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The Silva compass has the advantage that, if used according to the directions
enclosed with it, you can use the compass itself as a protractor. Make your
reading, then without disturbing the setting of the rotating graduated ring, align
the N-arrow inscribed on the transparent base of the compass case with the
grid line and slide it into position ( Fig. ).
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Recording strike and dip:
Right-hand rule:
Strikes and dips must be recorded in a manner where there can be no
possible confusion over the direction of dip; the recording of dip 180 in
error is a common mistake( after Barnes, 1991).
Recording may be as follows:
Write bearing of the strike, followed by a stroke, and then the amount of
dip and the quadrant it points to: Example: 223/45NW or S43W/45NW.
The right-hand rule is simpler; always record strike in the direction your
right index finger points when your thumb points down the dip ( Fig. ).
The quadrant letters can now be omitted and the reading of 223/45NW
now becomes 043/45. All types of planar information can be written in this
form.
The right-hand rule
for recording strike
and dip(Barnes,
1991).
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A lineation is defined in
space by its trend; the
bearing of an imaginary
vertical plane passing
through it- and by its
inclination or plunge in
that plane( after Barnes,
1991).
Measuring linear features:
Linear features related to tectonic structures are
termed lineations.
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Some lineations appear as
lines on an inclined
surface . These
inclinations can often be
measured more easily by
their pitch (rake), that is,
the angle the lineation
makes with the strike of
the surface on which it
occurs.
Measuring linear features:
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Folds:some of the considerations must be kept in mind.
If the axial plane of a fold is vertical , then the crest and
hinge lines are coincident and the trace of axial plane
indicates its strike whether the fold plunges or not (
Fig.a). If the fold is overturned , the axial plane is no
longer vertical and the hinge line now becomes a
lineation formed by the intersection of two surfaces- the
inclined axial plane, and the vertical plane in which the
trend of hinge is measured( Fig.b)( after Barnes, 1991).
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Fold
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Faults
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Thrusts and unconformities:
Joints:
Joints occur in every type of rock,
sedimentary,pyroclastic,plutonic
,hypabyssal,volcanic and
metamorphic.
Record joints ,but do not clutter your
map with them.
Measure the strike and dip of joints
in the same way as bedding. Book
readings in your notebook, using
right-hand rule, together with
estimates of joint lengths.
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Disconformity:
Tertiary, Libya
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Field Trip No.1
Guide lines
Field Geology 2010-2011
Field Trip No.1
Studied area:
Sulaimani,
Roadcut .
Aims: Measuring,
recording and
plotting strike
and dip, Finding
location on the
map.
Date: Thursday /11/2010
Time: 8:00am-1:00pm 22
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Field checklist
The following is a list of field equipment. These
items on the list are needed for this field trip:
Rucksack
Map case, Notebook
Pens, pencils, protractor and erasers
Base Map, Hammer, Handlens
Compass, Abney level, rod, Field acid bottle, Hat,
Waterproof anorak, Water bottle
Tape, Camera, Lunch box!
Good Luck
Field Trip No.1
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