Geological Structures And Maps

This highly illustrated student guide introduces the skills of interpreting a geological map and relating it to the morphology of the most important types of geological structure. Thoroughly revised, and with more international examples, it is ideal for use by students with a minimum of tutorial supervision. Photographs of structures are set alongside their representations on maps. The maps used in exercises have been chosen to provide all of the realism of a survey map without the huge amount of data often present, so that students can develop skills without becoming overwhelmed or confused. In particular, emphasis is placed throughout on developing the skill of three-dimensional visualization so important to the geologist. * Successful practical guide provides a solid introduction to the subject of geological maps * Fully revised edition includes more international examples to increase the breadth of your knowledge * Illustrations and end of chapter questions make this an ideal tool to aid self-guided study

Care is taken to define terms rigorously and in a way that is in keeping with current professional usage. Photographs of structures in the field are included to emphasize the similarities between structures at outcrop scale and on the scale of a map. This book is designed to be read without tutorial help alongside fieldwork. Worked examples are given to assist with the solution of the exercises. The maps used in exercises have been chosen to provide all of the realism of a survey map without the huge amount of data often present, so a student can develop skills without becoming overwhelmed or confused. In particular emphasis is placed throughout on developing the skill of three-dimensional visualisation so important to the geologist.

In the same way that topographic, road, and rail maps provide us with information concerning the nature of the land surface and the location of man-made features. Geological maps contain data which allows an understanding of the distribution of rocks that make up the crust of the Earth and the orientation of structures they contain. Unlike ordinary maps however, geological maps include information which allows us to assess not only the location of particular rocks and the areas they cover, but also their underground extent and their geological history.

The book includes new material, in particular examples of 3-D models and techniques for using kinematic models to predict fault and ramp-anticline geometry. The book is geared toward the professional user concerned about the accuracy of an interpretation and the speed with which it can be obtained from incomplete data. Numerous analytical solutions are given that can be easily implemented with a pocket calculator or a spreadsheet.

Geologic maps supply a wealth of information about the surface and shallow subsurface of the earth. The types of materials that are present in a location and the three-dimensional structure of the bedrock both can be gleaned from a clearly prepared geologic map. Geologists, civil and environmental engineers, land-use planners, soil scientists, and geographers commonly use geologic maps as a source of information to facilitate problem solving and identify the qualities of a region. Maps reveal the position of many types of natural hazards, indicate the suitability of the land surface for various uses, reveal problems that may be encountered in excavation, provide clues to the natural processes that shape an area, and help locate important natural resources. Suitable for lab courses in structural geology as well as field geology work, Spencer describes representative examples of features found on geologic maps and outlines procedures for interpretation and projection. Geometric techniques are explained using a step-by-step approach. Coverage of mapping methods includes tools that provide necessary data, such as Google Earth, GPS, GIS, LiDAR maps, drones, and aerial photographs. Challenging and engaging exercises throughout the text involve students in the mapping process and stimulate an appreciation of the extent and precision of information presented in geologic maps. Regional geology is an important component of lab and field mapping projects. As such, the Third Edition includes new maps of the Gulf of Mexico Coastal Plain, Rocky Mountain Front Range, Yellowstone region, Moab, Utah, Shenandoah National Park, and Hawai’i. A new chapter devoted to tectonic maps also broadens students’ exposure. Ed Spencer brings over 45 years of teaching experience to the text along with valuable insight and clarity into the interpretation and preparation of geologic maps.