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
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.
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.




