Construct a Fold Cross-Section Using the

Arc (Busk) Method

How the Arc (Busk) Method Works
This method approximates folds
as a series of circular arcs. This
method was published by H.G.
Busk in 1929, so it is sometimes
called the Busk Method.
Department of Geology and Geological Engineering
Economic Geo. _ JH 1
1. Given the two dips shown, how do
we approximate the fold as circular
arcs? We cannot assume the
measurements are on the same bed -
they almost certainly are not. 2. The
problem is to find concentric circles
tangent to the two dip measurements.
3. Radii of circles are always
perpendicular to the tangent where
the radius hits the circle.
4. Therefore, we construct
perpendiculars to each dip, and the
intersection of the two perpendiculars
is the center of the desired arcs.
We find the centers of curvature between adjacent dip measurements and
construct the arcs for each. The arcs are bounded by the perpendiculars for
each pair of dip measurements.
Department of Geology and Geological Engineering
Economic Geo. _ JH 2
1. It's quite common in this method
for perpendiculars to dip
measurements to intersect far off
the diagram. 2. Locate the bisector
of the angle between the
perpendiculars. One way is to
construct lines parallel to each side
the same distance in, so that the
lines intersect. Then bisect that
angle.
3. From each dip datum, draw a line
perpendicular to the bisector and
extend it to the opposite side. This
locates the other end of the arc.
4. Construct the dips on opposite
sides of the sector. Dips along any
one side of the sector are all equal
and parallel
Department of Geology and Geological Engineering
Economic Geo. _ JH 3
5. If you extend the dips in to the
bisector, the arcs must lie within the
yellow triangles. 6. Sketch the arcs.
They will approximately bisect the
center line of each triangle. A good
visual approximation is sufficient.
7. The completed arcs.
8. Data from adjacent sectors can be
carried across (tick marks in red) by
measuring distances relative to the
already plotted arcs .
The earth will not fall out of orbit if the arcs in a sector like that shown above are approximate. What matters most
is the end points of the arc, because they determine relative stratigraphic position from one side to the other.
Within the sector, between the dip datum points, there is no data, and the arc is only an approximation to the true
(and unknown) exact shape of the fold.
If the dips are exactly equal, then the perpendiculars will be parallel, and the center will be at infinity. No problem -
the "arcs" become straight lines.
Department of Geology and Geological Engineering
Economic Geo. _ JH 4
In the example at left, dip data are
shown. We want to construct a cross-
section that satisfies the data. The
stratigraphic units are colored here
but will not be colored for most of
the remaining diagrams. It is often
better not to consider stratigraphy
until after the cross-section is drawn.
We first find the center for
concentric circles tangent to dips 1
and 2. All the circles tangent to dip
1 have their centers on a line
perpendicular to dip 1. All the
circles tangent to dip 2 have their
centers on a line perpendicular to
dip 2
Therefore, the intersection C12 is
the center of concentric circles
tangent both to dip 1 and to dip 2.
Department of Geology and Geological Engineering
Economic Geo. _ JH 5
Using C12 as a center, draw arcs
tangent to dips 1 and 2 as shown.
Draw the arcs only between the
two perpendiculars.
Now locate center C23, the center
of concentric circles tangent to
dips 2 and 3. You already have a
line perpendicular to dip 2, so you
only need to draw a line
perpendicular to dip 3. Note that,
as often happens, the center is off
the diagram.
Draw the arcs tangent to dips 2
and 3. Again, draw them only
between the two perpendiculars.
Department of Geology and Geological Engineering
Economic Geo. _ JH 6
We can now exchange information with
sector 1-2. Extend the arc from dip 1
into sector 2-3, using C23 as a center
(lower red arc). Extend the arc from dip
3 into sector 1-2, using C12 as a center
(upper red arc).
In general, as we complete the cross-
section, we will extend data from one
sector to the next like this.
We can now construct center C34 by
drawing a perpendicular to dip 4. We
already have the perpendicular to dip
3. We extend the arcs from sector 2-3
into sector 3-4 as shown.
Note that the arc that starts at dip 2
passes very close to dip 4. We don't
need an arc through every dip, even
though we may use that dip to
construct a center of curvature. So we
won't bother drawing an arc for dip 4.
Department of Geology and Geological Engineering
Economic Geo. _ JH 7
Construct center C45 by drawing a
perpendicular to dip 5. We already have
the perpendicular to dip 4. Extend the
arcs from sector 3-4 into sector 4-5 as
shown.
Note that the arc that starts at dip 1
passes very close to dip 5. Again, we need
not bother drawing an arc for dip 4
Note that center C45 lies very near dip measurement 4. This is purely coincidental
and has no significance.
Sector 4-5 presents a problem. The arc from dip 2 passes just about through C45,
and the arc from dip 3 passes on the opposite side of C45 than does the arc from dip
1. When concentric folds have tight curvature, something has to give in the middle.
If an arc passes on the wrong side of the center of curvature, do not draw it.
Department of Geology and Geological Engineering
Economic Geo. _ JH 8
Construct center C56 by drawing a
perpendicular to dip 6. We already
have the perpendicular to dip 5.
Note that the intersection is now
beneath the surface. This is no
problem. It means the fold is now
concave downward (an anticline)
Construct the arc tangent to dip 6
as shown. Since this point is
stratigraphically lower than all the
other datum points, we continue
the arc back through all the other
sectors as well (shown in red).
Department of Geology and Geological Engineering
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Construct arcs to connect with all
the previously-constructed arcs as
shown in red.
Sectors 6-7, 7-8, 9-9 and 9-10 are
handled the same way, so the
remaining illustrations simply
show the results for each sector.
Sector 6-7 completed
Department of Geology and Geological Engineering
Economic Geo. _ JH 10
Sector 7-8 completed.
Sector 8-9 completed. Since
point 9 falls between two
already drawn arcs, there is
no real need to construct
another arc for it, at least for
now. Note that centers C67,
C78 and C89 are all close
together. This simply means
the fold has fairly uniform
curvature over that interval.
Department of Geology and Geological Engineering
Economic Geo. _ JH 11
Sector 9-10 completed. Since point
10 falls very close to an already
drawn arc, there is no real need to
construct another arc for it.
Tying the Diagram to Reality
It is virtually certain when you draw a cross section using strictly geometric methods
that the contacts will not match exactly with their predicted positions. There are
many reasons why not:
The units will not be uniform in thickness
There are small construction errors
Dips are not uniform from place to place
Dip measurements have small errors
Folds do not have ideal geometrical shapes.
Department of Geology and Geological Engineering
Economic Geo. _ JH 12
Here we have indicated the
stratigraphy. It is virtually certain
when you draw a cross section using
strictly geometric methods that the
contacts will not match exactly with
their predicted positions. What we
need to do now is redraw the folds so
the cross-section matches both the
dips and the stratigraphy.
Here all the construction has been
removed and the arcs are subdued.
Most of the time you can modify the
fold shapes by hand to match the
stratigraphy without too much
trouble. Modified contacts are in
black.
Department of Geology and Geological Engineering
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Do not get distracted by your dip symbols or stratigraphic
colors. The only requirement is that the stratigraphy and dips
match on the surface. Be prepared to modify the colors and
depart from the dips below the surface if it's called for.
Compare the two diagrams above to see that this was actually
done.
Department of Geology and Geological Engineering
Economic Geo. _ JH 14