TEKNIK GEOLOGI FT-UGM

(Three point problem)

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 TEKNIK GEOLOGI FT-UGM

Elev. 3400 ft

A
Elev. 2400 ft

C
N

Elev. 2700 ft
1000 ft

Map showing the location and elevation of three points.

The elevation of the unconformity (or other outcrops) is known at three

locations (A, B, and C). We want to find the strike and dip of the unconformity

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 TEKNIK GEOLOGI FT-UGM

Elev. 3400 ft

A
Elev. 2400 ft
C
N

B Elev. 2700 ft
1000 ft

Map showing the location of the line of strike from data in previous slide

The standard approach is graphical solution. The elevation of B is between the elevation
at A and C, so a contour passing through B (i.e. the 2700 ft contour). Dividing AC into
proportional part according to the elevation differential.
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A
Find the dip

B
1000 ft

Map

Map and cross-section

showing true dip from data
in previous slide

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Sometimes it is easy to find drafting triangles and a ruler than it is to find

the protector
First, draw line segments AA’ and CC’ perpendiculars to the line of strike.
Second, draw right triangle BDC’ by drawing a vertical line (parallel to the
north arrow) through B and a horizontal line segment (perpendicular to the
north arrow) through C’.
Then measure the distances BD, DC’, AA’, and CC’ and find a calculator.
The azimuth of strike ( θ strike) is

 DC ' 
 strike  arctan   A
D
C
 BD  ’
B’ C
and the angle of dip (θ dip) is: A’
’
B

 hA  hA '  h h 
 dip  arctan    arctan  C C '  See next slide
 AA'   CC ' 

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TEKNIK GEOLOGI FT-UGM

D’
A C’
N

B’
C
A’

B
1000 ft

Map showing location of auxiliary lines to calculate strike and dip from arctangents

Graphical solutions take great care. How would you like to have to find the
answer to 50 different three point problems ?
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(north)
Y
(400, 1200, 3400)

(2200, 900, 2400)

A

C
(1000, 200, 2700)

B
X (east)

The same- three point problem in Cartesian form

Computational Solution 7
TEKNIK GEOLOGI FT-UGM

Computational solution

The data are in the Cartesian form. We can calculate the xy-location of B and
C by using the sine and cosine functions, and thereby have the xyz – location
of all three points

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(north)
Y

B
X (east)
Contours of z on the three-point location

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Elevation
A

3400

C
North
2700 B
1200
2400 900

200
East
400 1000 2200

Three-dimensional context of the representation shown in previous slide

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A y

x2, y2

yo x1, y1 Slope = m

The two-dimensional two-point

problem: equation of the straight x
line in slope- intercept from (A)
and in linear – coefficients form
(B)

B y

x2, y2
yo = - c/b
Slope = - a/b
x1, y1

xo = - c/a
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