GY403 Structural Geology

Lecture 2: Descriptive Analysis

Descriptive Analysis
Geologic Mapping (How to function in the field)
Base Maps
USGS topographic maps USGS Orthophoto aerial photography Pace & Compass Surveys Alidade & Plane Table Total Station

Geologic Map Components Geologic Contacts Measurements with the Pocket Transit

USGS Topographic Maps

Topographic Map: in addition to cultural features such as roads, towns, etc., these maps contain elevation data:
Contour lines: brown lines signifying points of equal elevation Benchmarks: triangular symbols that mark points of precise elevation survey Spot elevations: X symbols that are less accurate elevations surveys

USGS Topographic Maps: Scale

USGS topographic maps are published at several scales:
1:24,000 RF (1=2000 ft.) (7.5 x 7.5 minutes) 1:50,000 RF (1=4167 ft.) (1cm = 500m) 1:100,000 RF (1=1.58 miles) (1cm = 1km) 1:250,000 RF (1=3.95 miles) (1cm = 2.5km)

Most geologic mapping is conducted with 1:24,000 scale topographic maps Remember that large scales (1:24,000) show more detail but less area than smaller scales (1:250,000)

RF Calculations
For an RF of 1:24,000
1 inch on the map = 24,000 inches on the ground 1 inch = 24,000 inches * (1 foot)/(12 inches) 1 inch = 2000 feet 1 inch = (2000 feet) * (1 mile)/(5280 feet) 1 inch = 0.379 miles (1 inch)/(0.379) = (0.379 miles)/(0.379) 2.64 inches = 1 mile

USGS 1:24,000 Topographic Maps: 103 Border 103 22 30 30

Always consist of lines of latitude and longitude Contain tick marks of UTM and SPCS on the border
32 15 32 15

7.5 Topographic Quadrangle border (1:24,000)

32 7 30 103 30

32 7 30 103 22 30

USGS Topographic Maps

Graphical Scale: found in explanation below map Uses English and Metric units

Topographic Contours
Contour lines (brown)
Based on aerial photographs analyzed stereographically Must agree with benchmarks and spot elevations Contour interval: elevation change between adjacent contours Hachured contours indicate closed depressions

Topographic Contours: Construction

Contours of any parameter use a simple proportionality rule Contours should V in the upstream direction across valleys. flow
80 x 87 x

77 x

80 x

Topographic Map Colors

Brown: topographic contours Green: Forest and/or wetlands White: cleared areas (i.e. pastures, etc.) Black: Cultural features (buildings, roads) Red: Land office grid system (Township & Range system); Major road systems Magenta: Photo-revised areas Blue: water bodies

1:24,000 Topographic Map Example

Example of the NE corner of the Springhill, AL quadrangle

Map Coordinate Systems

Land Office Grid system (Township & Range) Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) State Plane Coordinate System (SPCS)

Coordinate System Tic Marks

UTM: light blue (meters) SPCS: black (feet)

Land Office Grid System

R2W R1W R1E R2E T2N T1N T1S T2S 6 7 18 19 30 31 State Capital
36 square miles

6 miles 1 12 13 24 25 36

NW

NE SE

Legal description of location: NE , SW , section 22, T2S, R2E

Target location

Land Office Grid Coordinate: Example

Benchmark 212:
NW , NE , sec. 36, T3S, R3W

USGS Orthophoto Quadrangles

1:24,000 scale rectified aerial photography Often are more recent than topo base map

Summary
For exams know:
How to convert RF ratios to useful scales How to sketch contour lines using spot elevations How to interpolate elevations between contour lines Map coordinate systems (UTM, SPCS) How to locate positions in LOGS Uses of color on topographic maps