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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