PRINCIPLES OF FIELD

GEOLOGY

Field Work Organization

 ?What does the field study

Field studies solve geologic problems

where the earth materials and structures
can be identified easily by considering
their field relations with other related
geological features.
 KINDS OF FIELD INFORMATION
1. Listing direct straightforward facts of geological observations and
measurements
Rock types, name and textures in hand specimen,
The strike and dip of beds and geologic relations between the rock units.

Field worker should be artist in gathering and organizing objective field data.

2. Discussion of field data implies specific genetic conditions or environments.

To consider what happened in past and clarify the host of interrelated data.

3. Interpretation of the discussed field data will provides a sequence of age

relations and put geologic events in classical orders.

Experience of field geologist and how much geological theories he involved.

Descriptions and drawings of structures and field relations by constructing

cross-sections and block diagrams to supports own interpretations of field
workers.
 PLANNING FOR THE FIELD
WORKS
1. The problem
Should be clear for solving carefully concocted specific questions
.
It should be clear not only what is to be accomplished, but also who will be results-
interested.
A reconnaissance to (1) make sure the area is suitable for the topic selected and (2)
plan the field work in light of time and funds available.

2. Questions about the field topics

Determining the problem of field project and also reconnaissance of the area should
be followed by covering some questions that are necessary for any field notes:

Rock units----- description, continuity, akin elsewhere, fresh, exposed enough, fossil
contents
Structures----- regional, local, types,
PLANNING FOR THE FIELD WORKS, Cont.

3. Preparations for the field

Field reconnaissance, read the published and unpublished literatures, to:
See what they may contribute to the topic or question of the study.
prepare or obtain suitable field equipment such as:
Field equipments are many and the needed ones are related to the type of field
works. The most common equipments are aerial photographs, landast images and
geologic and topographic maps, altimeter, hand lens, diluted hydrochloric acid,
geologic hammer, compass, GPS, first aid kit, eraser, pen, pencil, ruler, colored
pencils, papers, paper-holder, notebooks, sample bags, sterographic net, camera
and camera's films and batteries.
For mapping purposes, topographic maps and aerial photographs:
Advantages of Aerial photographs are:
May show some geologic features that do not appear on topographic maps.
Location can be made on them accurately and quickly because they show
many details such as individual trees and outlet or inlet distributary streams.
Disadvantages:
Areas covered by forest are very difficult to map on it.
Aerial photographs can not be used easily to obtain three-dimensional views of
the terrain. Nevertheless, the data collected should be transformed frequently
to a topographic base.
- Topographic maps might be preferred due to some reasons:
Less expensive and are more useful in mapping quadrangle-size areas,
Give three-dimensional view through drawing geological cross-sections,
Can be enlarged to give more spaces for plotting geologic features and locality
numbers.
 PLANNING FOR THE FIELD WORKS, Cont.
4. In the field

The geological mapping before sampling..

The localities are numbered in order to relate them to field notes that describe
the features and well represented rock samples.

Structure elements are measured such as strike and dip of bedding and any
other surfaces such as faults, joints, foliations, lineations, axial plane and fold
axis are plotted at once on the map with appropriate geological symbols.

Localities of collected fossils, rocks or minerals are plotted as are sites where
photographs are taken or where drawings are entered in the notes to record
structural relations too small or too complex to map to scale.

Thus the map becomes a picture of the formations and structures that
can be drawn to scale and orientation in space as well as geographic
record of all other data and ideas recorded.
 PLANNING FOR THE FIELD WORKS, Cont.
5. In the field camp or office

Routine works should be done during evening or on an occasional office day.

Data are transferred frequently from separate field sheets or aerial photographs
to an overall base map that is colored lightly to emphasize the distribution of
rock units and structures.

The transferring is done frequently to see the geology develop concurrently

with field mapping, and thereby keep the project moving ahead as planned.

Other important routines are to read field notes and study the map and rock
samples together in order to examine recent discoveries and think over
geologic puzzles.

These reviews plan the field strategies of the next few days or weeks.

An important routine is to write summary descriptions of rock units and large

structures as field work progresses including interpretations with well
presented cross-sections and drawings which are invaluable basis for writing
the final report.
 PLANNING FOR THE FIELD WORKS, Cont.

6. Completing field works

Questionable structures and intrusive contacts should be reexamined, in the
central theme of study.

Intensive parts of the study are expanded during second field season.

The geologist can anticipate the final report by doing the following:
Comparing the office map to field sheets and notes.
Selecting cross-section lines and preparing complete pencil drafts.
Reviewing notes and summery descriptions to be sure that
all units and structures are described fully;
rock and fossil samples will be adequate to resolve interpretation; and
structural data are sufficient to define structures and episodes of deformation.

Writing an outline of the geologic history.

Writing report should be supported by maps, cross sections, drawings in three

dimensions specially the oriented blocks and photos.

Exercises:
List in simple orders the steps that make your field trip successful.
How does geologist anticipate the final report in the last day of field work?
Topographic maps are much better in field mapping in Egypt rather than using aerial
photographs (Do you agree? explain).