STRIKE AND DIP

JaimeMarso 11/1/2004

Background
v Describingtheorientation

oflayersofrock

When we describe the orientation ofsedimentaryrockunits, wemust keepinmindthattheserockswere originally deposited as sediment in horizontal(flat)layers.

Upper Deer Creek Narrows, Grand Canyon, AZ http://www.mountainzone.com/photo/2004/hiking_grand_canyon/html/photo01.asp

Background
v Describingtheorientation

oflayersofrock

Many kinds of rocks form in broad, flatlayers,calledbeds,thatstackup likethelayersofacake.Inareaslike northernArizona,thickstacksofrock bedsthathave builtupovermillions of years remain in their original flat orientation (where they can be viewed as
multicolored horizontal layers of rock that make up the spectacular walls of the Grand Canyon).

Tiny kayak in lower Tapeats Creek, Grand Canyon, AZ http://www.mountainzone.com/photo/2004/hiking_grand_canyon/html/photo01.asp

Background
v Describingtheorientation

oflayersofrock

Tectonic forces cause the rock layersto be folded and uplifted, and sedimentary rocks can be in any orientation,includingvertical.

Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs, CO. http://gpc.edu/~pgore/geology/geo101/crustaldeform.php

StrikeandDip
v Describingtheorientationof

layersofrock

In places like California near active plate boundaries,however,theforcesthatmake earthquakes don't leave the beds flat for long,butbendandtiltthem.

Thesetiltedrocklayersarepartofthe Kayenta formation, siltstones and sandstones deposited by streams. Powerful forces caused these strata tomove,foldandshiftovereons.

Above- Tilted Sedimentary Rocks, CA Below-Kayenta Strata, UH http://www.byways.org/browse/byways/2027/places/3455/

StrikeandDip StrikeandDip
v Representationofstrike

anddiponageological map.

Tilted beds are shown on a geological map with a strike and dipsymbol. Thesymbolconsistsofthreeparts: a long line, a short line, and a number.Thelonglineiscalledthe strikeline,andshowsthedirection inthebedthatisstillhorizontal. The orientation or attitude of any tabular or planar feature can be uniquely described by combining twoparametersstrikeanddip.

Strike Strike
v Representationofstrike

onageologicalmap.

Any tilted surface has a direction thatishorizontal. Strike is the orientation of a rock outcrop. The compass direction along which the bed of rock trends (with respecttonorth)iscalledstrike. Thestrikeoftherock'sbeddingor foliation is the direction of a level lineacrossitssurface Alevellineinaplanemeasuredas theacuteanglefromnorth

Strike Strike

o Figure2:LinestrikingN30 E.

o Figure3:LinestrikingN80 W

v Representationofstrike

onageologicalmap.

By convention, geologists always o measurestrikeastheacute(<90 ) angle indegreesfromnorthtothe line.

Dip Dip
v Representationofdipona

geologicalmap.

Dipistheacuteanglebetweenaninclined plane and an imaginary horizontal plane, measuredperpendiculartostrike Dip is measured as an angle and a o (horizontal)to direction,andvariesfrom0 o (vertical). 90 Dip is how steeply the bed or foliation slopesdownhill. Unless the plane is vertical, the dip direction must be specified in addition to thedipamount(N,E,S,W,NE,NW,SE,SW).

Dip Dip

StrikeandDip StrikeandDip

StrikeandDip StrikeandDip

StrikeandDip StrikeandDip
v Representationofstrikeanddipona

geologicalmap.

StrikeandDip
v MoreStrikeand

DipSymbols

Vertical Beds Strike andDipSymbol HorizontalBedsStrike andDip

MeasuringStrikeandDip MeasuringStrikeandDip
vRangerCompass
Measuring

strike and dip with these Rangers is a 7step process.

MeasuringStrikeandDip MeasuringStrikeandDip
v RangerCompass
1. POSITIONCOMPASSFORTAKINGSTRIKE
Using the bulls eye, hold the compass level and place the longer side of the base plate against the surfacetobemeasured. Keeping the compass in position #1, turn the bezel until the orienting arrow lines up with the needle. Getinthehabitofliningupredtored(northtonorth) as that is how bearings are taken. For strike, however,itdoesntmatterwhatendsoftheorienting arrowandneedlelineup. Movethecompasstothemapandwithoutchanging thestrikeyoujustdialedin(donttouchthebezel!), rotatethebaseplatesothatthenorthsouthlineson your compass line up with north and south on the map(uselinesoflongitude,UTM,TownshipRange, roads, building edges, or whatever is available). Find your position on the map and place the long side of the compass over that point while simultaneously keeping the NS lines on the compasslinedupwithNSonthemap.

2.

DIALINSTRIKE

3.

POSITIONCOMPASSFORPLOTINGSTRIKE

MeasuringStrikeandDip MeasuringStrikeandDip
v RangerCompass
4. PLOTSTRIKE
Draw a line against the long side of your compass throughyourpositiononthemaptorepresentthestrike direction. Withthemirrorcompletelyopen,holdthecompasswith themirrorfacingyouontheleft.TurnthebezeluntilN isupandEandWareonthecenterline. Align the south edge of the compass with the dip directionandplaceitagainsttheplanetobemeasured. Remember that the dip direction is perpendicular to strike.Itisalsothedirectioninwhichwaterwouldflow (ball roll etc.), and therefore the direction in which the maximum dip amount is measured. Read the dip amount where the plumb bob points on the inclination scale. Make a tick perpendicular to the line representing strike direction in the appropriate dip direction. Write thedipamountnexttothetick.

5.

GETTHECOMPASSREADYTOMEASUREDIP

6.

MEASUREDIPAMOUNT

7.

RECORDDIPAMOUNTANDDIRECTIONONMAP