Computer Applications in Structural Geology

An Introduction to Structural Methods (more info)

Written by H. Robert Burger, Smith College and Tekla A. Harms, Amherst College

A screen shot from the animation program, An Introduction to Structural Methods

This DVD is illustrated with 3-D diagrams, geologic maps, animations, and photographs offering a new approach to teaching structural geology. This DVD-ROM improves students' spatial reasoning skills while applying structural concepts and techniques. It also provides interactive quizzes that test students' comprehension of key concepts and terminology while encouraging their mastery of techniques working with the types of problems they will likely confront as practicing geologists. Designed for use at the college level.

Topics include:

Elements of Lines and Plane - Frames 5-51
Map Interpretation: Simple Planar Surfaces - Frames 52-219
Stereographic Projection I - Frames 220-384
Constructing Geologic Sections - Frames 385-437
Map Interpretation: Faults - Frames 438-595
Stereographic Projections II - Frames 596-668
Map Interpretation: Folds - Frames 669-786
Map Interpretation: Unconformities, Intrusions - Frames 787-838
Map Interpretation: Thrust Faults - Frames 839-938
Fold Analysis - Frames 939-1046
Stress, Fracture, and Fault Analysis - Frames 1047-1238
Strain: Basic Principles - Frames 1239-1493

Java Computer Programs for Teaching Displacement Concepts (more info)

by Skylar L. Primm and Basil Tikoff, University of Wisconsin - Madison

These interactive programs help students in structural geology courses to visualize and understand the fundamental concepts of distortion, rotation, and translation under progressive general shear. These have been recently rewritten and improved upon using Java, and they will run on any machine with Java 1.4.2 or later installed. New programs have also been added to the suite, in order to cover a broader range of displacement concepts. These programs are suitable for use as teaching aids in an undergraduate or graduate level structural geology course.

The following programs are available:

Shear Box - Simulates progressive shear on a box, displaying strain ellipse and material line rotation and deformation.
Stress v. Strain - Simulates progressive shear on a box, displaying axes of "stress" (assuming a viscous medium) and finite strain.
Strain Theory - Simulates progressive shear on a box, displaying strain ellipse, flow apophyses, infinitesimal strain axes, and finite strain axes.
3D Strain - Simulates three-dimensional progressive general shear on a box.
Flow Lines - Simulates progressive shear on a box, using flow lines to display the exact path of material points during deformation.
Rotating Clasts - Simulates rotation of elliptical clasts under progressive shear conditions according to either Jeffery or March model rotation.
Jeffery v. March - Simulates the rotation of elliptical clasts under conditions of progressive general shear, allowing for simultaneous comparison of Jeffery and March model rotation.
Shear Fabric - Simulates rock fabric formation under progressive shear by translating and rotating elliptical clasts.

A working group for the effective use of computers in teaching structural geology was formed at the 2004 workshop.

We invite you to contribute information about computer resources that you have found useful for teaching structural geology or simply provide support for teaching structural geology.

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