Geological Maps TALOMm UATE COR ACIUOD Second EditionGEOLOGICAL MAPS AND THEIR INTERPRETATION Second Edition (Metric) Sz sce at see PUES an Sge6 F, G. H. BLYTH, PhD., D.C, E.GS. rs Jormarly Imperial College of Science and Technology, London x (SE, f/ ® i I #/ EDWARD ARNOLD s ‘From the Preface to the First Edition ‘The maps included in this book present rather more complex areas as ‘exercises for interpretation and description than those to which three-point dererminations with regular stratum contours would apply. At the same time there are many instances in parts of the maps where stratum contours can be sketched on a8 an aid to interpretation over limited areas, An outline des- cribing the main features shown is given on the back of each map. The order Of strata within the map legends is not necessarily strtigraphical. Notes on the interpretation of geological maps are placed later and contain refer~ fences to particular instances in the earlier part of the book. They assume a knowledge of structures based on parallel strike lines, "The author is indebted to the Senate of London University for permission to reprint Maps 2, 3, 5 nd 7 to 16, which have been set in Geology papers in B.Sc. (Engineering). 1965 FGHB. Preface to the Second Edition In this Second Edition all contour values are given in metres and appro- priate scales are included. Several new diagrams have been inserted, as on. ‘ages 6 and 18, in order to help the student to visualise the main structural Features of an area, apart from details of stratigraphy. 1978, F.GHB. ©F.G.H. Biyth 1976 Bdward Amold Publishers) Ltd 235 Hill Street, London WiX 8LL Reprinted 1966, 1971 ‘Second edition 1976, ISBN 0 7131 2568 3 {Al Rights Reserved. No part ofthis publication ‘may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, fr transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic ‘mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of Edward Arnold (Publishers) Limite. Printed in Great Britain by ‘Whitstable Litho Led., Whitsable, Kent, 2 Introduction ‘As a preliminary to the detailed reading of a geological map to determine the succession and structure, it is useful to look fist at the ‘broad topographical features, including valleys, ridges, and summits, ‘The position of steeper and flatter slopes will be apparent from ‘contours, when these are given, and geological boundaries and their relationship to the topography can be followed. This applies partic ularly to large-scale maps, for instance at 6 inches to a mile.* Straight runs of outcrop given by steeply dipping of vertical beds indicate the local direction of strike. Horizontal beds have bound- aries which reflect the topographic contours. The vee-ing of outcrops in valleys gives clues as to dip directions, which can be sketched on, ‘using dip arrows. Unconformities (if present) can be marked. ‘When dip directions are known, the order or succession of beds ‘can be found. On large-scale maps stratum contours may often be drawn (through the intersections of geological boundaries with topographical contours), and deductions as to dip made from them. ‘Where folds are present the positions of their axial surfaces may be sketched on the map. In selecting a line for the drawing of a cross- section, one which follows the general direction of dip and crosses the axes of folds will frequently be the most suitable for showing the structures present in the area. Igneous bodies such as dykes and sills, having more or less regular ‘boundaries, can be treated in a similar way to the outcrop of a sedi- mentary formation~Larger and more irregular igneous masses have boundaries which may indicate a surface of varying inclination in different parts of its course. ‘*For small-scale maps (1 inch to a mile and less) the geological boundaries tare mare independent of small topographical features.Black shales NS Sse Tee aN : | a ee , i Li ra fer ges a y ed a > 7 4 Seay hi: 3 4 t lL 2km okieMAP 4 A shale, marl, and sandstone series dips south-south-west at angles between 10 and 20 degrees, and is cut by several dip-faults. Of these, F, is the most extensive (with a trace three miles long at the surface) and downthrows to the east, producing a displacement of over amile in the sandstone outcrop. Two strike-faults (F, and F,) give rise to repetition of the outcrops of some members of the series (p.44 ), with downthrows to the north. The shape of the sandstone outcrops is probably partly due to a flexure in the beds, as a result of which the dip varies in direction. F, bifurcates near the southern margin of the map and brings in a belt of outcrop of the sandy mar Read the direction of throw on the other norih-east faults 1s Fa normal or reversed fault? Draw a section across the map in the dip direction, through the r4-degree dip-arrow.Map 2 ip 5 y : wr a / / / ’ / t supcess { fo fwirn \ lis (Coal! Sevms i \ } ‘ \ \ SCALE:MAP 2 A sedimentary series is folded into a syncline which plunges to the cast, and has a steep southern limb and gently dipping northern limb, The later is broken by a dip-fault, the throw of which decreases from north to south; and the fault dies out in the youngest member (yellow sandstone). A dyke cuts the folded strata in a north-west direction. Shales with coal seams, having a small south-easterly dip, lie uncomfortably on the folded rocks and mark the incoming locally of estuarine and coal-forming conditions, at a later time than the folding and erosion of the older sedimentary series. “The main structures are shown in outline on the adjacent sketch: 1 State the sucession (in a column), and give thicknesses of members ‘where possible, estimated from a carefully drazon section (see s(i) below). In which direction does the axial plane of the fold dip 2 Why is the outcrop of the sandy marls wider in the north than in the west of the area ? 4 Check the thickness given in (1) against the widths of outerop in ‘the region of the 70-degree dips on the map. 5 Draw cross-sections (i) in the dip direction through the 14-degree dip-arrow (north of map); and (i) for the upper half of the line XX and its extension t0 the south margin of the map. we SHALLOW BASINre SN a a ape boted WE Delerife.MAP 3 ‘An anticlinal fold involving sandstones and a conglomerate, and plunging to the north, is crossed by an oblique fault (F,) with a downthrow to the south-west. A nearly parallel fault (F,) has a downthrow to the north and brings younger limestones to lie against the sandstones. At the eastern end of F, a fault-intrusion of dolerite is present as a vertical dyke, The limestones are succeeded by yellow sandstones, and the whole series is covered unconformably by shales with coal seams and Coal Measure sandstones (north-east part of map), These younger rocks dip gently to the north-east (at about 5 degrees, estimated from the highest coal seam), and are locally Covered by a strip of alluvium in the valley. 1 Draw an east-west section, to scale, through the 1o-degree dip- arrow (near east margin of map), and from it estimate the thicknesses of the formations represented, allowing for variations in dip. From the section estimate the dowonthroz on F, Drato a second section for the line from Y to the turn-point on XY, doubling the vertical and horizontal scale.|e Shales with limestone koil-shale. Sandstone. Dolerite sills tedykes.MAP 4 ‘Shales with thin limestone and oil-shale horizons are folded into a dome, elongated nearly north and south, with flanking synclines, and are succeeded by sandstones into which dolerite sills are intrusive. ‘The latter partake of the folding in the eastern syncline, The western syncline is asymmetrical, with a steeply dipping eastern limb, and brings in sandy shales and younger marls. It is followed by a sharp anticline, shown by the oil-shale band (west margin of map). ‘Two dykes of dolerite cross the folds from east to west and a small dip-fault parallel to the northern dyke has a downthrow to the south. (Based on part of sheet 32, Geol. Survey of Scotland.) 1 Draw a cross-section in the dip direction, through the s6-degree dip- carrot; the vertical scale can be doubled. 2 State the order of intrusion of the doterites (sills and dykes) in relation to the age ofthe folding. 10MASSIVE A, LIMESTONE OoLITIC LIMESTONE i v= Voleanic Group. Fee aT aaa Loa F= fault.MAP 5 (A relatively thin and nearly horizontal sheet of oolitic limestone lies uncomformably on folded older rocks. It is dissected by streams, giving rise to an inlier (north-west of map), and leaving two small outliers to the east of the main outcrop. The.older rocks (red sand- stone, shales, and massive limestone) are folded into a nearly east- ‘west anticline which is crossed by several dip-faults, The anticline has a steeper southern limb and gentler northern limb. Two of the _faults (F, and F,) show evidence of wrench movement, from the “disposition of the shale outcrops adjacent to them and the shift of the anticlinal axial plane. F, has a small right-handed movement combined with a downthrow to the east. F, has @ left-handed wrench ‘component and a downthrow to the west; the vertical movement on this fault brings in a wider outcrop of volcanic rocks (v) in the core of the fold on the east side of the fault. Estimating the horizontal dis- placement of the axial plane at F, from the volcanic rocks, a wrench of ‘about 390 metres is indicated. The northern outcrop of the massive limestone west of F, is kept wide by subsidiary folding (see dip arrows). See also discussion on p. 45. 1 Draw a cross-section for the line BC, using a vertical scale not ‘more than troice the horizontal scale. From it estimate the vertical ‘movement on Fy. 2 Dravo a second section starting from the north-west corner of the ‘map and passing the 66-degree dip-arrow (south centre of map). nnic Calcareous Lime- Sandstone Shales stone roup ShalesMAP 6 AA series of sediments ranging from coarse grits (oldest) to flag- stones (youngest), and including an interbedded volcanic group (tufls and lavas), is folded, and at a later stage intruded by a granite ‘which in places sends veins into the rocks adjacent to it. An aureole ‘of contact metamorphism is developed around the granite margin. ‘The axial planes of the folds strike north-east and are overturned to the north-west; the beds in some limbs are vertical. A reversed strike- fault brings the coarse grits against younger members of the series (centre of map); the fault dips to the south-east and is located in the limb of a fold, 1 Find the angle of dip of the fault, assuming it to be a plane surface, 2 Draw a section across the map in the dip direction, using equal ‘vertical and horisontal scales. 4Map 7 NRE SESS SSK has WVMAP 7 In a coastal area with an accumulation of blown sand adjoining ‘part of the coast, an anticline plunging north-north-west has a core of coarse grits followed by greywackes and grey slates; these are suc- ceetled by fine-grained grits and black slates. The fold is asymmetrical, ‘with moderate dips on its western limb and gentler on the north astern limb. The latter is intruded by dolerite (in the black slates) and cut by two dip-faults, of which F, dips west and is a reversed fault. Jn the north centre of the map the fine-grained grits transgress the boundary of the grey slates, indicating a minor unconformity (possibly resulting from a tilt of the area after the deposition of the sediment now constituting the slates). The black slates which sucozed the grits are faulted (F,) against red sandstone with interbedded ‘tuffs, in which a synclinal fold is developed (north-east of map). Fy passes under the alluvium of an easterly flowing stream and is seen again in a small area near the east border of the map; this fauk is vertical. In the north-west, a massive limestone lies unconformably on the folded rocks at about the 120-contour, and has a low dip to the north- west. It is intruded by a dolerite sil “The adjacent sketch shows the main structures in outline, ¢ 1 Draw a cross-section for the line ABC, using a vertical seale twice the horizontal scale of the map. 2 List the events during the geological history of the area which have ‘brought about the conditions shown om the map. 16 UNCONFORMABLE covererie S | mudsrone. [sc] Sergent ([]] 7 timestne [ = _] ‘Topography, 2, 39, 41 Transcurrent fault, 45, Tuff, 30, 34, 46 Unconformity, 12, 16, 42 Valley, vee in, 40 Vee-shaped outcrop, 24, 40 Veins, 46 Vertical beds, 18, 30, 32, 36, 41 Width of outcrop, 4x ‘Wrench fault, 12, 26, 45 PAR £ pete ; nett ae Te ermiei eR ees cue Ne on Cu ARM Ra CU) to progress to more advanced problems will find the nes Riccar oad Crean scree SOR ee eet CC ee etc Pu ma ae re Rey eC rere Kae MMe CR UCR TAC cece RCT Pirate ea ae eae Mea tte ker cannot be covered, sufficient information is. provided to Fenestra Pica Si ae cea ue ene Peet RUN eee ke RE) eR Sas ane alam explain, by the use of sections and block diagrams, the appearance of the more usual geological structures as ee ome eee ec RCW eR RRR CRU Conse ne Ree Ly acu rem ARC? fee niin amr POR cieucken tigate en continue to be a useful and essential adjunct in courses fel cle aM ensure wel os cana Pitre Edward Arnold | £1.75 net fechas a a NTN Re tu RRR eM RR LN is reflected in this excellent collection of eighteen problem maps designed as a follow-up to elementary geological cc MOTE Pe een aap hr required study for every student of geology.” Chemistry Ena ISBN: 0 7131 2568 | a eae emp Te te nL Crome nas) |