Geological maps fall into four main groups: reconnaissance maps, maps made of regional geology, large-scale maps of limited areas and maps made for special purposes. Small-scale maps covering very large regions are usually compiled from information selected from one or more of these groups.
Geological maps fall into four main groups: reconnaissance maps, maps made of regional geology, large-scale maps of limited areas and maps made for special purposes. Small-scale maps covering very large regions are usually compiled from information selected from one or more of these groups.
Geological maps fall into four main groups: reconnaissance maps, maps made of regional geology, large-scale maps of limited areas and maps made for special purposes. Small-scale maps covering very large regions are usually compiled from information selected from one or more of these groups.
GEOLOGICAL MAPS AND BASE MAPS Tipos de mapas geolgicos
Geologa Aplicada 2014
Types of Geological Map Geological maps fall into four main groups. These are: reconnaissance maps; maps made of regional geology; large-scale maps of limited areas; and maps made for special purposes. Small-scale maps covering very large regions are usually compiled from information selected from one or more of these groups. 3.1.1 Geological reconnaissance maps Reconnaissance maps are made to find out as much as possible about the geology of an area as quickly as possible. They are usually made at a scale of 1:250 000 or smaller, sometimes very much smaller. Some reconnaissance maps are made by photogeology, that is by interpreting geology from aerial photographs, with only a minimum of work done on the ground to identify rock types and to identify dubious structural features, such as lineaments. Reconnaissance maps have even been made by plotting the main geological features from a light aircraft or helicopter with, again, only brief confirmatory visits to the ground itself. Airborne methods are particularly useful in regions where field seasons are short, such as in northern Canada and Alaska. 3.1.2 Regional geological maps Reconnaissance may have given the outline of rock distribution and general structure; now the geology must be studied in more detail, most commonly at a scale of 1:50 000 or 1:25 000, although any resulting map will probably be published at 1:100 000. Regional geological maps should be plotted on a reliable base. Unfortunately, in some countries, geological mapping outstrips topographic coverage when there is a sudden economic interest in a specific area and geologists must then survey the topography themselves. An accurate geological map loses much of its point if superimposed on an inadequate topographic base. Regional geological mapping done on the ground may be supported by systematic photogeology, and it should be emphasised that photogeological evidence is not inferior to information obtained on the ground although it may differ in character. Some geological features seen on aerial photographs cannot even be detected on the ground while others can even be more conveniently followed on photographs than in surface exposures (see Section 4.10). All geological mapping should incorporate any techniques which can help in plotting the geology and which the budget will allow, including geophysics, pitting, augering, drilling and even the use of satellite images where available.
GEOLOGICAL MAPS AND BASE MAPS Tipos de mapas geolgicos Geologa Aplicada 2014 3.1.3 Detailed geological maps Scales for detailed geological maps may be anything from 1:10 000 and larger. Such maps are made to investigate specific problems which have arisen during smaller-scale mapping, or from discoveries made during mineral exploration, or perhaps for the preliminary investigation of a dam site or for other engineering projects. In Britain 1:10 000 is now the scale used for regional maps by the Geological Survey to cover the whole country, replacing the older 6 inches to the mile series (1:10 560). Few countries match this detail for their regional topographic and geological map coverage. This is also the scale most commonly used by British students for their own mapping projects. 3.1.4 Specialised maps Specialised maps are many and various. They include large-scale maps of small areas made to record specific geological features in great detail. Some are for research, others for economic purposes, such as open pit mine plans at scales from 1:1000 to 1:2500; underground geological mine plans at 1:500 or larger; and engineering site investigations at similar scales. There are many other types of map with geological affiliations too. They include geophysical and geochemical maps; foliation and joint maps; and sampling plans. Most are superimposed over an outline of the geology, or drawn on transparencies to be superimposed on geological maps, to study their relationship with the solid geology.