Geological Field Techniques

GEOLOGICAL FIELD TECHNIQUES

The understanding of Earth processes and environments over geological time is highly dependent upon both the experience that can only be gained through doing fieldwork, and the collection of reliable data and appropriate samples in the field. This textbook explains the main data gathering techniques used by geologists in the field and the reasons for these, with emphasis throughout on how to make effective field observations and record these in suitable formats. Equal weight is given to assembling field observations from igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rock types. There are also substantial chapters on producing a field notebook, collecting structural information, recording fossil data and constructing geological maps.

Geological Field Techniques is designed for students, amateur enthusiasts and professionals who have a background in geology and wish to collect field data on rocks and geological features. Teaching aspects of this textbook include:

• step-by-step guides to essential practical skills such as using a compass-clinometer, making a geological map and drawing a field sketch;

• tricks of the trade, checklists, flow charts and short worked examples;

• over 200 illustrations of a wide range of field notes, maps and geological features;

• appendices with the commonly used rock description and classification diagrams;

• a supporting website hosted by Wiley-Blackwell is available at www.wiley.com/go/coe/geology

Auteur

DR ANGELA L. COE specializes in sedimentology and stratigraphy and has over 20 years of experience of collecting geological field data in Europe, Asia, North and South America. Over this time, she has also designed and taught field geology courses for several UK universities and has led many field trips for international conferences and petroleum companies.

DR TOM W. ARGLES is a geologist who has conducted structural and metamorphic fieldwork in several mountain belts (Alps, Himalaya, Betic Cordillera, Caledonides, Basin and Range) for 20 years. He has set up and taught field courses in a range of locations across the UK and Europe. DR DAVID A. ROTHERY is a volcanologist and planetary scientist. He has taught geology in the field for 30 years and has research experience of igneous rocks (including active volcanoes) in the Oman, Cyprus, Italy, the Andes, central America, NW USA, Hawaii and Western Australia. PROFESSOR ROBERT A. SPICER is a palaeobotanist and sedimentologist with over 30 years field experience working in remote regions of Northern Alaska and northeastern Russia, China and Tibet, India, Australia, New Zealand, and Mexico.

Texte du rabat
The understanding of Earth processes and environments over geological time is highly dependent upon both the experience that can only be gained through doing fieldwork, and the collection of reliable data and appropriate samples in the field. This textbook explains the main data gathering techniques used by geologists in the field and the reasons for these, with emphasis throughout on how to make effective field observations and record these in suitable formats. Equal weight is given to assembling field observations from igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rock types. There are also substantial chapters on producing a field notebook, collecting structural information, recording fossil data and constructing geological maps.

Geological Field Techniques is designed for students, amateur enthusiasts and professionals who have a background in geology and wish to collect field data on rocks and geological features. Teaching aspects of this textbook include:

• step-by-step guides to essential practical skills such as using a compass-clinometer, making a geological map and drawing a field sketch;
• tricks of the trade, checklists, flow charts and short worked examples;
• over 200 illustrations of a wide range of field notes, maps and geological features;
• appendices with the commonly used rock description and classification diagrams;
• a supporting website hosted by Wiley-Blackwell is available at www.wiley.com/go/coe/geology

Résumé
GEOLOGICAL FIELD TECHNIQUES The understanding of Earth processes and environments over geological time is highly dependent upon both the experience that can only be gained through doing fieldwork, and the collection of reliable data and appropriate samples in the field. This textbook explains the main data gathering techniques used by geologists in the field and the reasons for these, with emphasis throughout on how to make effective field observations and record these in suitable formats. Equal weight is given to assembling field observations from igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rock types. There are also substantial chapters on producing a field notebook, collecting structural information, recording fossil data and constructing geological maps. Geological Field Techniques is designed for students, amateur enthusiasts and professionals who have a background in geology and wish to collect field data on rocks and geological features. Teaching aspects of this textbook include:

• step-by-step guides to essential practical skills such as using a compass-clinometer, making a geological map and drawing a field sketch;
• tricks of the trade, checklists, flow charts and short worked examples;
• over 200 illustrations of a wide range of field notes, maps and geological features;
• appendices with the commonly used rock description and classification diagrams;
• a supporting website hosted by Wiley-Blackwell is available at www.wiley.com/go/coe/geology

Contenu
Preface x

Acknowledgements xi

1 Introduction 1

1.1 A selection of general books and reference material on geology 2

1.2 Books on geological field techniques 3

2 Field Equipment and Safety 4

2.1 Introduction 4

2.2 The hand lens and binoculars 5

2.3 The compass-clinometer 6

2.3.1 Orientation of a dipping plane 11

2.3.2 Orientation of a linear feature 16

2.3.3 Triangulation: Determining location using a compass 20

2.4 Global positioning systems and altimeters 25

2.5 Measuring distance and thickness 26

2.5.1 Standard thickness and distance measurements 26

2.5.2 Use of the Jacob staff to measure the thickness of inclined strata 27

2.6 Classification and colour charts 28

2.7 Hammer, chisels and other hardware 31

2.8 The hardcopy field notebook 33

2.9 The laptop, netbook or PDA as a notebook 34

2.10 Writing equipment, maps and relevant literature 35

2.10.1 Writing equipment 35

2.10.2 Maps and relevant literature 35

2.11 Comfort, field safety and field safety equipment 36

2.11.1 Clothes, backpack/rucksack and personal provisions 36

2.11.2 Field safety 36

2.11.3 Field safety equipment 39

2.12 Conservation, respect and obtaining permission 40

2.13 Further reading 41

3 Introduction to Field Observations at Different Scales 42

3.1 Introduction: What, where and how? 42

3.1.1 Defining the fieldwork objectives 42

3.1.2 Deciding where to do the fieldwork 43

3.1.3 Locating your position 45

3.2 Scale of observation, where to start and basic measurements 45

3.2.1 Regional context 45

3.2.2 Whole exposure 46

3.2.3 Hand specimens 49

3.3 Overview of possible data formats 51

4 The Field Notebook 53

4.1 Introduction: The purpose of field notes 53

4.2 Field notebook layout 54

4.2.1 Preliminary pages 54

4.2.2 Daily entries 54

4.2.3 General tips 56

4.3 Field sketches: A picture is worth a thousand words 57

4.3.1 General principles: Aims, space and tools 59

4.3.2 Sketches of exposures 63

4.3.3 Sketching metre- and centimetre-scale features 67

4.3.4 Sketch maps 68

4.4 Written notes: Recording data, ideas and interpretation 72

4.4.1 Notes recording data and observations 72

4.4.2 Notes reco…