Geol 3000

Name ___________________________
Lab 7A Faults, Folds, Unconformities and Geologic Map Patterns
In working the maps below, it will be helpful to color some of the units to help more easily visualize the
map patterns. These images were copied from Simpson, 1968 (1); Lisle, 2004 (2, 3); and Bennison,
2003(4, 5).
1) On the map, vertical lines are 100 structural contours for the upper and lower contact of a sandstone
unit (stippled) and the fault (close space lines); dashed lines are topographic contours; the heavy line
labeled F is a fault, line x-y is the line of profile for the cross section at the bottom of the page.
A) What type of fault is
this?__________________
B) On the X-section,
measure the dip on the SS
contacts on the east side of
the fault______
On the west side_____
What is the dip of the fault
plane? _______
C) Use the structural
contours on the map,
calculate the dip of the SS
contact on the east side of
the fault _____
On the west side_____
Dip of fault plane ______
D) Are the dip values the
same? Why or why
not?___________________
______________________
______________________
______________________

E) Using the cross sectional view, measure:

the slip (dip) displacement (s) - ______________;
the throw (vertical displacement- u) - ___________;
the stratigraphic displacement (d) - ____________.

2) The figure below corresponds to a vertical cross-section showing the thicknesses and order of rock
units encountered in four rock cores drilled along a section. First, color the different rock units.
Examine the sequences in each core and compare to the known stratigraphic section which is given in
the column to the right. Keep your eye out for overturned sections and non-stratigraphic breaks (i.e.
faults).
A) in each core, mark the position of possible faults with a solid red line.
B) interpret a correlation of faults between adjacent core with dashed red lines
C) interpret a correlation of rock unit contacts between adjacent core with dashed pencil lines, folding
where necessary.

X
X

3) Determine the strike and dip of this thrust fault ______/_______and draw a cross section along X-Y.
8
|

6
|

4
|

2
| |

| |

4) Calculate (and show on the map) the strike and dip of strata along the cross section line X-Y (measure units
between the faults (F1 and F2) and above and below the unconformity (base of unit G). Show the relative
motion on the faults with arrows or U/D tags, Draw a cross section in the topographic profile below.

5) Below is a geologic map of a highly deformed strata in the Canadian Rockies in Alberta. Color the
units. Note that the thrust faults have a southwesterly dip of about 50. Draw a cross section along
line P-Q on the profile provided.