To prepare drawing of Cross Sections from Geological maps.
EQUIPMENTS REQUIREDMaps, Scale, Set Square, Papers, Pencils etc.
THEORY:
Geological Map: The geological map is the one, which reveals the geological information in terms of topography, lithology and geological structures order of superposition thickness of beds and geological history of region. A geological map is contour map over which geological formation structure etc are marked.
Civil Engineering importance: For safe, stable, successful and economical civil engineering constructions such as dams, resvoirs, tunnel etc detailed geological information us essential. A geological map provides all the details, which a civil engineer requires. This study of geological map is of great importance. In geological map, normally contours are marked as dotted line.
Symbols used in Geological maps:
Strike and slip
![]() | strike and dip of beds other than horizontal or vertical |
![]() | horizontal beds |
![]() | strike and dip of vertical beds |
Faults
Type | Symbol | Definition | Types | Symbol | Definition |
normal | ![]() | hanging wall down, footwall up | reverse | ![]() | high-angle (45° or more dip) thrust fault |
detachment | ![]() | low-angle normal fault, footwall – gneiss, hanging wall – shallow-crust rocks | strike-slip | ![]() | rocks on either side move horizontally in opposite directions |
thrust | ![]() | hanging wall up, footwall down | oblique-slip | ![]() | combines horizontal and vertical motion |
Folds
Type | Symbol | Definition | Type | Symbol | Definition |
anticline | ![]() | up fold | plunging syncline | ![]() | down fold with tilted axis |
plunging anticline | ![]() | up fold with tilted axis | monocline | ![]() | strata tilted in one direction |
syncline | ![]() | down fold |
CROSS SECTION OF GEOLOGICAL MAP
Ageological cross–sectionis a graphic representation of the intersection of thegeologicalbodies in the subsurface with a vertical plane of a certain orientation.
PROCEDURE:
Step 1:
First determine the line along which you are going to draw the section, it should:
- Be representative of the study area.
- Cross all major structural features (e.g. faults and folds)
- Have appropriate data on the map or well logs to draw a complete section.
- Often be drawn perpendicular to major structural features.
Step 2:
- Now on some graph paper draw an x-axis with the same scale and length as the line of the cross section.
Step 3:
- Using a scrap piece of paper, mark on where structure contours intercept your cross sectional line.

Step 4:
- Now, overlay your scrap piece of paper with your cross section and mark on the different topographical contour points.

Step 5:
- If you join these dots up, you should end up with an accurate scaled topographic cross section that looks something like the one below.

Step 6:
- Now, with your scrap piece of paper add in where the lithological boundaries intercept your cross sectional line

Step 7:
- Now, overlay your scrap piece of paper with your cross section and mark on the different lithological boundaries.

Step 8:
- Now, extrapolate from these points the bed boundaries; if they dip, then draw the lines at the correct angle of dip for each bed.
- However for this example, as the unit boundaries followed the contours, they are evidently horizontal (remember The Law of “V’s”)
Now you have drawn an accurate, to scale, cross section.


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