Geological Mapping Techniques in

sedimentary terrain
Geological Survey By of India
Training Dr. Omnath Saha
Institute
Senior Geologist & Faculty
Mission-V
Field Training Centre: Kuju
 INTRODUCTION
• A map is a two-dimensional diagrammatic representation of the
whole or part of the earth and it’s surface features at a given
scale on a flat surface.

• Geological mapping, is faithful recording of observations on the

rock exposures, plotting them on a base map and logically
interpreting the observations to know their evolutionary
history

• Making a geological map is therefore a fundamental skill for

any professional geologist.

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 Field Equipments / Tools
1. Base map
2. Brunton Compass
3. Geological hammer & Chisel
4. Field Note Book, Pen, Pencil, Erasers, Marker pen
5. Camera
N
6. Hand lens, Pocket knife
7. Scale (diagonal), Measuring tape, Graph and tracing sheet
2
8. Streak plate, Pocket magnet
1
9. Sample bags and a bottle of HCl acid.
Minimum Geological knowledge
Logical Approach 3
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 Let’s learn about the base map required by a geologist
as a tool for geological mapping.

What is a map?

• A map is a scaled representation of the Earth's surface.

• Every map is a representation of a larger portion of the earth.
• It is a means of communication.
• Map contains information.
• Information in graphical form.
• Information is communicated to the user .
• The art of map making is called CARTOGRAPHY

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 Map Classification
Based on the scale, there are two broad categories of
maps:

i. Large Scale map

ii. Small Scale map

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 A small scale map- >1/2,50,000, show lesser details

• A large scale map- 1/25,000 to 1:50,000 show greater

details because the representative fraction is a larger
fraction

• Those maps with between 1:50,000 to 1:2,50,000 are

of intermediate scale

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 • On a 1:50,000 map, 1 mm on the map represents
50 m in the field.

• You should be able to pinpoint yourself to within 50

m in the field, so when you translate this to the map,
the margin for error is 1 mm

• Remember, when mapping at 1:50,000 scale,

millimetre accuracy is expected

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 MAPPING METHODOLOGY N

• Plan your field work 2

• Pre-field preparation – Literature survey 1

• Carefully read the Toposheet

3

• It is best to approach the mapping area as if it had not been mapped

before –

 Reconnaitory traverse to understand Regional geology & Stratigraphy-

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 Stages of Geological Mapping
A geological mapping project generally proceeds in five
stages:
1. Planning:
2. Field work Stage: Observing, mapping and collecting data by
examination of all geological features on the ground
3. Laboratory studies:
4. Interpretation: Computation, synthesis and subsequent
interpretation of data through application of modern techniques (i.e.
computer)
5. Finally, preparing a report of the work

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 Organize your time and activity in a systematic manner.

Study the toposheet as much as possible

Define daily tasks.

Divide the area into blocks and map these systematically one to the next.

Do not start work in widely separated areas (you may not be able to tie them
up).

Begin with reconnaissance study of the entire area.

Begin from a well exposed section and move outward from this- choose a
suitable traverse / sections / locations.

If you get stuck in an area and can't sort it out, map the surrounding areas and
go back to the difficult area later.

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 Geologic Field Work

1.Location of points or outcrops where observations are made.

2.The examination of outcrops, their disposition and attitude, topographic forms etc.
a. Observation
b. Study the disposition
c. Measure the attitude

3.Plotting of these points of observation and / or outcrops along with geological data on
the base map

4.Recording of all field data in detail in field note book

5. Collection of samples and fossils

6.Draw sketches / diagrams or take photographs of interesting geological features.

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 Field traverse ? From where to start ?

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 If the field traverse is like this

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 Field traverse / location
1.Finding an outcrop / exposure

2. Observing and studying the

geological details contained in
the exposure.

3.Where to look for bedrock

exposures -hilltops, steep
hillsides, stream / river beds,
railway and road cuttings and
artificial excavations, etc.
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 OBSERVATION

Spend some time looking

at the exposure.

What to observe-
a. Get a general idea of the exposed rocks by looking all around- What is the
rock type? Mineral composition? Grain size? Texture?
b. What structure can I see? – Bedding? Sedimentary structures?
c. Decide which part of the exposure deserve more detailed study
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 Data recording in Field notebook
Observations are recorded in two ways;
On the field map (topo sheet or field slip)

In the field notebook (information which

cannot be accommodated on the field
map.

Map data is also normally recorded in the

field notebook using –

i) a locality number reference system

on the map and

ii) a grid reference in the field notebook.

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 Field Notebook
• There is no absolute process in recording field data.
• You will forget things which may seem obvious in the field if you do
not record them.

• The notebook should be clearly organized and arranged so

that you (and later the examiners!) can cross-refer between the
notebook and field-slips.

• Start each new day in the field on a new page with the day and
date

• Number all the pages in your notebook.

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 Structural Data Recording
Type of Reading Example
Planar - strike (3 figures) / dip (2
050 / 38 SE
figures) dip direction (letters)
Linear - plunge (2 figures) / direction of
24 / 165
plunge (3 figures)

Description:

Lithology,
colour,
mineralogical composition,
texture,
primary sedimentary structures and their dimension,
disposition pattern,
bed-form geometry,
contact relationship

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 Sketches & Photographs

detailed sketch- of structures, fossils or (if you take photographs, always make a
sketch of the thing photographed with essential information such as co-
ordinates and scale in your notebook.
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 Recording data on the map

Information should be inserted on the base map preferable by pencil

Avoid using pens or ball-points on the map

Get into the habit of inking up your day's observations (Summarize)

onto your field-slip each evening while the information is still fresh in
your mind; any errors or uncertainties will become clear straight away
and can be checked.

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 Topographic Map reading
• Map reading is a practical skill.

• Can be developed only by reading topo maps very minutely and mentally analyzing
the details with the help of conventional signs & symbols.

• It involves ability to follow the symbols portrayed in the map.

1.Understand the information given in pictorial and written form
2.Visualize the topography of the original area by interpreting the contour

3.As the conventional symbols cannot cover all the graphical details, each
topographical map sheet provides the necessary information in the margin for the
users
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 What is contour line?

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 Interpretation of landforms from toposheet

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 DRAINAGE

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 Drainage density-
D= L/A measure of how well or poorly a basin is drained by streams
where D=Density, L sum of stream lengths and A is the area of the
basin.

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 Drainage pattern
In bedrock areas the drainage pattern depends for the most part
on
 the lithologic character of the underlying rock,

 the attitude of these rock bodies and arrangement and

spacing of the plane of lithological and structural weakness
encountered by runoff.

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 Top and Bottom criteria in Mapping

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 CONCEPT OF MARKER HORIZON /
MARKER BED

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 Principle of drawing contacts
Geological boundaries / contacts should be shown as solid
continuous lines where the boundary is directly observed or
fixed within a few meters.

Use dashed lines used for inferred contacts-

-----short dashes may be used to indicate a boundary located
with reasonable certainty,
___ _____ ____ _____long dashes indicate a greater
uncertainty of the litho contact inferred.

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 Lets learn how to draw contacts in different
dispositions

• Locate the observation point on the map

• Record dip and strike of the litho unit exposed and imply V-s
rule

• Lithounit is having Horizontal attitude

• Lithounit is having low dips
• Lithounit is having moderate dips
• Lithounit is having steep dips
• Vertical lithounit

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 V-rules

 Relation between the topography of the area and beds /

rock units.

 In valley – outcrop forms ‘V’ pattern – hence the rule is

named

 Following cases considered:

1. HORIZONTAL BED
2. VERTICAL BED
3. INCLINED BED

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 Outcrop patterns illustrating ‘V’ rule

70
70 70

60
60 60

50
50 50
40
40 40 30°

30 30
30
 20
20 20

10 10
10

Top & bottom surface of a Top & bottom surface of a Bed dips upstream, much
bed intersecting the bed transecting the more steeply than the stream
topography are parallel to topography as straight line. gradient, “V” pattern is
contour line. BED -- Vertical shallow or blunt.
BED -- Horizontal BED – dipping upstream
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 Outcrop patterns illustrating ‘V’ rule

70
70
70
60
60 60
45° 50
40 50 50

40 15° 40
30 8°
30 30
20
20 20
10
10 10

Bed dips downstream, much Bed and valley with equal Bed dips shallower than
steeper than stream inclination. stream gradient. ‘V’ points up
gradient. ‘V’ points down the BED – dipping downstream the valley.
valley BED – dipping downstream
BED – dipping downstream
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 V-RULES
DISPOSITION OF BEDS OUTCROP PATTERN IN A VALLEY

HORIZONTAL PARALLEL TO THE CONTOURS

VERTICAL STRAIGHT LINE ACROSS THE

CONTOURS
DIP OPPOSITE TO SLOPE ‘v’ WITH APEX POINTING UPSTREAM

DIP IN THE DIRECTION OF ‘v’ WITH APEX POINTING UPSTREAM

SLOPE (DIP< SLOPE)
DIP IN THE DIRECTION OF ‘v’ WITH APEX POINTING
SLOPE (DIP> SLOPE) DOWNSTREAM

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 VERTICAL LITHOLOG / STRATIGRAPHIC
COLUMN

Prepare some vertical sedimentary litholog if required

for facies correlation and also for stratigraphic
correlation purpose

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 PALEOCURRENT DATA
Take palaeocurrent data from all relevant exposure / locations for better
interpretation of your geological map
Upper Bhuban Bokabil Formation
0 0

10 10

5.625 5.625

2.5 2.5

0.625
0.625

270 10 5.625 2.5 0.625 0.625 2.5 5.625 10 90

270 10 5.625 2.5 0.625 0.625 2.5 5.625 10 90

242o 0.625
0.625

2.5
2.5

206o 5.625
5.625

10
10

180
180

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 Geologic Cross Section
• Your mapping is inconclusive without drawing Geologic Cross
Section

• The purpose of a cross-section is to illustrate the structure of

the area and to provide an interpretation of the structure and
distribution of the mapped units at depth.

• try to draw your cross-sections perpendicular to the local strike

and trend of fold axes.

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 Geological Cross Section along line A-B

B
A

Geological cross section between A – B

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 THE REPORT

It should be carefully written and presented .

Consult your instructors after you have produced a first draft

of your report.

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 Thank You

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