MAP INTERPRETATION
Ibrahim A. Oyediran Ph.D.
Department of Geology,
University of Ibadan
MAP INTERPRETATION
v The main objective of geological map interpretation is to identify
as accurately as possible with the aid of diagrams and sections the
features depicted on maps.
v Not many geological maps have a unique solution
v The geologist must consider several possibilities and choose the
most plausible explanation for a set of observation
v Please kindly note the following particularly during interpretation
and description of a map;
1. Contacts of vertical layers form straight lines on maps regardless of the
topography
2. Contacts of horizontal layers are parallel to the topographical contours
3. Folds are younger than folded rocks
4. Faults are younger that the rocks they cut
5. Metamorphism is younger than the rock it affects
6. Intrusive igneous rocks are younger than the host rocks especially
where they are in cross- cutting relationships
BEDS AND BEDDING PLANES
Ø Rocks are being constantly
subjected to weathering.
Ø The products of
weathering are transported
by the agents of erosion
namely;
running water, wind, waves,
currents, glaciers plants and
animals and deposited in
lakes, deserts, oceans e.t.c.
v Sediments are
deposited in horizontal
position
vIf the agent of transport
is strong, sorting takes
place
vIf the agent is weak, only
fine sediments are
transported
v Sediments are deposited layer by
layer resulting in formation of a
layered structure otherwise know as
bedding or stratification
v When several layers have been
formed, the older layers become
compacted and form distinct beds
or strata
v These are sedimentary rocks
v The thickness of the bed may vary
from place to place.
v The surface separating a bedrock
from the next is known as BEDDING
PLANE.
v On Geological maps bedding planes
are represented by continuous
curves when observed in the field.
v Inferred boundaries are usually
drawn in discontinuous curves
HORIZONTAL STRATA
HORIZONTAL STRATA
v The Principle of Original Horizontality was proposed by the
Danish geological pioneer Nicholas Steno (1638–1686).
v This principle states that layers of sediment are originally deposited
horizontally under the action of gravity.
✤The Law of Superposition states
that in any pile of undisturbed
sedimentary strata, the youngest
bed is at the top while the oldest
is at the bottom.
✤Each bed is younger than the
underlying bed
✤The boundary between any two
distinct beds is often defined by
an abrupt change in lithological
character
✤The bedding plane of a
horizontal bed is always parallel
to the contour
INCLINED AND VERTICAL STRATA
✤When a bed is tilted, it is
said to DIP.
✤The dip can be gentle or
steep.
✤The angle of Dip (true dip
angle) is the angle between
the horizontal and the line of
greatest slope on the inclined
surface
✤The attitude of an inclined
bed is described in terms of
STRIKE and DIP
✤A STRIKE is defined as the
compass direction of a
horizontal line on a bedding
plane
✤True dip direction is
perpendicular to the
direction of strike
