Geosc 454 – Spring 202

Geology of Oil & Gas

Lab 1: Geologic Maps

Objective: To understand basic principles of using geologic maps to interpret sub-
surface structure.

I. Define the following terms. Use sketches where appropriate (5 pts)

Strike – Orientation of horizontal line in plane

Dip – Angle from the horizontal plane

Isopach – Thickness of the earth’s layer perpendicular to

horizontal of bedding plane

Structure contour - Lines of equal elevation on structurally

significant surface underneath the
ground
Normal fault –
Faults where no layers are getting on top of the ones →

Thrust Fault – Faults where beds are clashing where the heavier ones
→

go underneath the lighter ones are on top structure contour

side view
20 0
\ '

_.;
"

yo o

AA
,

Anticline – Underground bed shape where the beds looks like a bell '

'
'
-

Syncline – The opposite of anticlines. Anticlines flipped

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 II. Contour Maps – Topographic, Structure Contour, Isocore and Isopach Maps

Topographic Map
1. The figure below shows the topography along the Catskill Creek in New York State. (15 pts)
a. What is the contour interval of this map?
25 ft

b. What is the lowest elevation on line DD’?

0 ft
c. Construct a profile along AA’ that has a vertical exaggeration of 4X. What is the slope -

of the steepest part of the profile? -

Express your answer as a grade/percentage (if you
use your profile for this, don’t forget to account for the vertical exaggeration).
between 175ft & " ◦ contours
' tee " "

_s
A 7- 5

100 • 50

30 0
•

00

•
0
500 • 0

70 • 60

900 • 200

1300 250

D’

•
275

A’

I
2100 -

2000
-

1
1900 -

1
Ita -

1700 -

1600 -

1500 -

1400 -

1300 -

1200 -

1100 -

v. ◦I
900 = =
-
-
-

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-

-
-
- -
•

fÉ
-

800 -

:
- -
- -
-
-

☆00
-
- -

/
- -

2°g%%÷
-

¥ -4=0.75
-

600 -
slope = = =

500 -

400 -

300 -
00

i.at?i:jfis.Iioos-tioos-ti3oos-tnehF
.

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 2. Structure Contour Maps

The numbers on Figure 2-M6 represent the depths below sea level of an unconformity
separating crystalline metamorphic basement from Mesozoic cover strata in Bloomer County.
The cover strata are horizontal. (20 pts)
a. Construct an interpretive (freehand) structure-contour map of the basement/cover
unconformity. Use a contour interval of 20 meters.
b. At what depth does well C1 penetrate the basement? (Hint: use interpolation)
somewhere between 40 I 60

c. Describe what you see on this structure-contour map.

an anticline can be seen in the middle

'

i
3. Isochore and Isopach Maps

Figure 2-M8 shows a portion of the Dry Gully Quad. The solid lines are formation contacts,
and the dashed lines are the traces of kink-fold hinges. Below the map is a cross section of the
quad drawn perpendicular to strike. (20 pts)
a. Construct both an isochore or isopach map of the Snehal Shale using a 30 meter contour
interval. Note that the Snehal Shale is 61 meters thick.
b. What is the difference between an isochore and isopach map?

NI I
so Pach - - - - -

f I \

l 1
Iso chore

n
I
I 1

i I

1 I
,

1
1

! !
90 60 30 0
170
III. Geologic maps and their relationship to sub-surface structure.

Refresher:

Youngest Oldest

1. Construct a Stratigraphic Column showing the stratigraphic position of the 8 units listed above
(2pts): (The youngest unit has already been labeled for you)

Mp
No

Mn

DM
'

01
ok
sj

2. Used the mapped units and strike and dip information from the surface to infer the geologic
structure of the subsurface (draw a cross section on face ‘A’) (1pt)
Assume both Mo formations are the same, and the thick black line is the fold axis.

Fold
Axis
'
Mo Mo
Mp
45 45
'

‘A’

What geologic structure is this? Do surface rocks get older or younger as you move towards the fold
axis?) (2pts)
Syncline ,

to the stratigraphic column

Younger according
3. For each block diagram below: (20 pts )
a. Complete the top of the block as a geologic map. Include the proper map symbols for fold
axes and faults where applicable. Label with strike and dip symbols (2-4 per map as needed).
-

b. Construct a structure contour map for the top of unit Dk, using the surface of the block (0m) -

as the datum. Be as accurate as possible.

c. For each block diagram, two wells are drilled at sites A and B to reach the target unit, Dk.
Which well must be deeper? Approximately how much deeper is it?

"

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fold
• '

◦
◦ axes
°

g.
I o
00

: "

°
°
• ◦ deep
o
"

%: %
: .

\ shallow
deep

b.

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500

'

0
c. 000 . .

0%8 ,
5640

too
I
◦

% g

%
•

0 0

= .

"
-

%
I -

; . 10 :O
.

/ 110

wet [
180
¥80
I

deeper , about 180 meters deeper 6t8z•mde

will dig
4. Use the Geologic map of a portion of the Grand Canyon provided to answer the questions below:
(15 pts)

a. What formations outcrop to produce the steepest slopes?

Permian & Missis sipiam & Lower Precambrian

b. What is the approximate strike of the Kaibab Formation?

155° from the north

c. How thick is the Muav Formation given a 50 foot contour interval?

400ft

d What is the age of the Muav (give its geological period)?

Middle cambrian

e What Paleozoic geological periods are missing from the Grand Canyon section?
Devonian & Silurian I oraidicem