Stereonet

Plotting planes and lines

Boris Natalin

Conventional lettering on stereonet

My lettering (on the stereonet)

90

27

Lettering on the overlay

Use marks
that are
shown by
red

Plotting plane
Plotting:
1) Rotate the
overlay to
the mark that
correspond
to 55

Dip direction
and dip
angle of
bedding

Plotting plane
2) Keep the
overlay in this
position

3) Plot the
plane and
pole on the
overlay
(blue)

Great circle

4) Check
plotting
rotating the
overlay
to the initial
position.
Done!

Plotting a line
Plotting:
1) Rotate the
overlay to the
mark that
correspond to
50

Plotting a line
2) Keep the
overlay in
this position

3) Plot the line

on the overlay
(blue dot)

4) Check
plotting
rotating the
overlay
to the initial
position.
Done!

Small circles

Rotation about vertical axis

Trace of the rotation of a
line about vertical axis
(Fig. a) makes small circle

Rotate a line 60/30

clockwise for 45

Red mark
Red mark

Rotate a line 60/30

clockwise for 45

Plotting the line:

1) Rotate red mark on
the overlay to plunge
direction of 60

2) Plot the line counting

30 from the periphery
of stereonet

3) Keep the
position of the
overlay
4) Visualize
clockwise
rotation for 45
5) Plot a blue
mark onto the
overlay, which
is the plunge
direction after
rotation

Rotate a line 60/30

clockwise for 45

Vertical
axis

blue
mark

Rotate a line 60/30

clockwise for 45

6) Rotate the
blue mark to
the horizontal
diameter of
the stereonet

Rotate a line 60/30

clockwise for 45

7) Plot the line

counting 30.
Rotation about
the vertical
axis does not
change the
plunge!

Line is rotated!

Clockwise rotation of
the plane 60/30 about
the vertical axis for 45

1) Plot the plane

rotating red
mark to 60

2) Keep the
position of the
overlay
3) Visualize
clockwise
rotation for 45
4) Plot a blue
mark onto the
overlay either
for the new
plunge direction
of the pole or for
the strike line

Clockwise rotation of
the plane 60/30 about
the vertical axis for 45

The new plunge

direction of the
pole is used.
5) Rotate it to the
horizontal
diameter
6) Plot the new
pole (red).
Rotation about the
vertical axis does
not change its
plunge!
7) Plot the new
plane (red)

Clockwise rotation of the

plane 60/30 about the
vertical axis for 45

Rotation is done!

Clockwise rotation of
the plane 60/30 about
the vertical axis for 45

Examine the results

Where horizontal
axis is?
Where vertical
diameter of
stereonet is?

1) Plot the line

2) Visualize the
problem. The axis of
the rotation is vertical
diameter of
stereonet. Clockwise
rotation should be
about the northern
end of this axis.
3) Count 45 along
the small circle in the
proper direction.
4) Plot the rotated
line (red).
The problem is
solved!

plane 60/30

1) Plot the plane 60/30

plane 60/30

2) Visualize the
problem. The axis of
the rotation is vertical
diameter of
stereonet. Clockwise
rotation should be
about the northern
end of this axis.
3) For the pole (blue
dot) count 45 along
the small circle in the
proper direction.
4) Plot the rotated
pole (red dot).

plane 60/30

5) Rotate the
overlay until the new
(rotated) pole (red
dot) occur on the
horizontal diameter.

plane 60/30

6) Plot the plane

for the rotated
pole

plane 60/30

7) Rotate the
overlay in the
initial position.
The problem is
solved!!

Rotation about axis of any orientation

Red mark on overlay

Plunge
direction
245

Plotting the
axis of
rotation,
which is
determined
245

Plotting the
line, which
we will
rotate

Checking

 Rotation is
counterclockwise
Rotations about
vertical or
horizontal axis are
simple
We will use both
of them

 Move the
determined axis of
rotation to
horizontal diameter
(rotate overlay)
Then use vertical
diameter as the
axis of rotation and
move blue mark to
the periphery of
stereonet (33)
Move the line in
the same direction
along the small
circle for 33

 Rotate stereonet
about the vertical axis
for 90

In this position, the

vertical diameter of
stereonet coincide with
the determined axis of
rotation

Rotate the line for 45

(move red mark along
the small circle in
accord with the sense
of rotation)

Rotate stereonet back

for 90 about the vertical
axis (blue mark must be
on the horizontal
diameter)

Use horizontal axis

(vertical diameter) to rotate
the determined axis of the
rotation to its original
position
The line should also be
rotated (move red mark for
33)

 Return
stereonet to the
initial position
Rotation is
done