Introduction

to Geological
Maps
Geological Maps
• A map which shows geology of an area.
i.e. rock units and geological structures.

OR

• A map showing rock distribution of an

area on a plain paper.
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Figure: Geological Map of Kohistan Island Arc
 Geological Maps…

Basics of a Geological Map

Title: Shows the name of the region being mapped.

Scale

Map Units: a suitable set of map units.

• These may, for example, be individual sedimentary rock formations, distinguishable lava
flows, or metamorphic rock units.

• The main requirement for a map unit is that it be identifiable by the presence or absence
of some characteristic(s), and thus distinct from other map units chosen.

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 Geological Maps…

• The mapper then marks which of the

map units are found at each place
Basics of a
where the rocks are exposed.
Geological
• Orientation of beds or the location of
Map…..
contacts between map units, may also
be recorded. Where obvious, contacts
are drawn as solid lines; where only
inferred, they are drawn as dashed
lines.

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 Geological Maps…

Basis of Geological
Maps…

• On a geologic map, different

units are represented in
different colors for clarity.

• Standard patterns may be used

to indicate the general rock
type. Figure: Colors Symbols showing rock units and structures

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 Geological Maps…

• North Arrow

• Latitudes and Longitudes

• Marker beds
Basis of
• The map is accompanied by a key
Geological showing all the map units, arranged
Maps… in chronological order (insofar as
their ages are known), with the
youngest at the top.

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 Geological Maps…

Basis of Geological Maps…

• Each unit is also assigned a symbol. The first part of the symbol

consists of one or two letters corresponding to the unit’s age

(generally, the geologic era or period).

• This is usually followed by one to three lowercase letters

corresponding to the rock type or unit’s name (if any).

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 Geological Maps…

• For example, “PC– qm” might be used for an unnamed

Precambrian quartz monzonite, “Qa” for Quaternary alluvium

along a stream channel.

• These symbols are useful for distinguishing units mapped in

similar colors, as well as for providing a general indication of

the age of each unit directly on the map.

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Geological Maps…

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 Geological Maps…

Some of the most important uses of

geological maps are listed below:
USES OF
GEOLOGICAL • To measure rock bodies in order to quantify
their aerial extend.
MAPS
• Geological maps are useful to soil scientists,
mineral prospectors, hydrogeologists,
builders, road workers, petroleum geologists
and other professionals in carrying out
research programs in their fields of study.

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 Uses of Geological Maps…

• Many structural features (e.g. faults and folds) can best be discovered through a
geological mapping exercise. Their relative occurrence may assist engineers
where to locate bridges, buildings, tunnels etc; guide geologists to possible sites
of mineralization and groundwater resources.

• Geological maps are used to construct important projections such as cross-

sections (i.e. the vertical and spatial distribution of rocks and structures beneath
the earth surface).
 Geological Maps…

Geological maps fall into four main groups.

These are:

1. Geological Reconnaissance Maps

Types of 2. Regional Geological Maps

Geological Maps
3. Detailed Geological Maps

4. Specialised Maps

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 Types of Geological Maps…

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.

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 Types of Geological Maps…

• 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.

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 Types of Geological Maps…

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, i.e. at
a scale of 1:50 000 or 1:25 000.

• Regional geological mapping done on the ground may be supported by

systematic photogeology.
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 Types of Geological Maps…

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.

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 Types of Geological Maps…

• Specialized maps are many and

various.

4. Specialized Maps • They include large-scale maps of

small areas made to record specific

geological features in great detail.

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 Types of Geological Maps…

• 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.
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Thanks

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