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12.6: Geologic Maps and Cross-Sections

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    5678
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    Overview

    A geologic map uses lines, symbols, and colors, to include information about the nature and distribution of rock units within an area. It includes a base map, over which information about geologic contacts and strikes and dips are included. Geologists make these maps by careful field observations at numerous outcrops (exposed rocks at the Earth’s surface) throughout the mapping area. At each outcrop, geologists record information such as rock type, strike and dip of the rock layers, and relative age data. Geologic maps take practice to understand, as three-dimensional features (such as folds) are displayed on a two-dimensional surface. Remember that a geologic map will be seen in map view, as we learned about earlier with the block diagrams. Geologists use information about rocks that are exposed to visualize the unseen rocks beneath the surface, enabling them to complete the cross-sectional views we observed in the blocks. You will examine a geologic map for an area in Georgia and construct a geologic cross-section. A geologic cross-section shows geologic features from the side view. They are similar to the topographic profiles that you have already created, but include additional information about the rocks present. In order to construct a geologic cross-section, obey the following steps:

    1. Observe the geologic map given. Pay close attention to any strike and dip symbols, geologic contacts, and ages of the rock types.
    2. Take a scratch sheet of paper. Line it up along the line provided across the cross-section.
    3. At each geologic contact, make a mark on the scratch paper. Position the marks in the direction you believe the rocks are dipping (To determine this, use strike and dip symbols. If they are not provided, use the Rule of V’s or the ages given to help determine the geologic structure).
    4. Transfer the marks from your paper to a provided diagram.
    5. Sketch in the structure, paying careful attention to dip angles (if provided). Structures may be drawn in with a dotted line above the Earth’s surface to indicate rocks that were formerly present but that have since been eroded.

    There are some helpful hints to remember when constructing a cross-section:

    1. Anticlines – these folds have the oldest beds in the middle, with beds dipping away from the axis. Plunging anticlines plunge towards the closed end of the V.
    2. Synclines – these folds have the youngest beds in the middle, with beds dipping towards the axis. Plunging synclines plunge towards the open end of the V.
    3. As streams intersect dipping beds of rock, they will cut V shapes in the direction of dip.

    Figure 12.29 provides an example of a simple geologic cross-section, based off ages of the rock units.

    clipboard_ec446a934ba49065c1d6ea05933e2788d.png

    clipboard_ea56073e7e9a4121e83e6b2562619de24.png

    Guide To Rock Ages
    Age of Rocks Geologic Age Symbol Geologic Time Period

    From Youngest

    l

    l

    l

    l

    l

    l

    l

    l

    l

    l

    l

    l

    l

    l

    l

    l

    l

    l

    l

    l

    l

    V

    To Oldest

    Q Quaternary
    T Tertiary
    K Cretaceous
    J Jurassic
    Tr Triassic
    P Permian
    lP Pennsylvanian
    M Mississippian
    D Devonian
    S Silurian
    O Ordovician
    -C Cambrian
    p-C PreCambrian

     

    Guide To Common Map Symbols
    Map Symbol Explanation
    clipboard_e7cd43d64f94090d4e474e6391961b7ca.png Strike & Dip
    clipboard_e89e494a83dd1ce005f204472de9a73b0.png Vertical Strata
    clipboard_efb19976d0037f019a387be9c426fb2e5.png Horizontal Strata
    clipboard_e816e4263e0ee137ad84312804027a482.png Anticline Axis
    clipboard_e9d8ba06ec25c71c9bca8e62f054594d9.png Syncline Axis
    clipboard_e1fe6f3b1aed91dafda89d6e975756895.png Plunging Anticline Axis
    clipboard_e0432edc2e065e7e27f5c07cefbbe966e.png Plunging Syncline Axis
    clipboard_e2674309cc506ac5e966b36fdb26b6e55.png Strike-slip Fault

     


    This page titled 12.6: Geologic Maps and Cross-Sections is shared under a CC BY-SA license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Deline, Harris & Tefend (GALILEO Open Learning Materials) .

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