Initial Publication Date: June 26, 2012
Visualizing folds using Google Earth
Barbara Tewksbury (Hamilton College)
Syncline in a mapping area near Dubinovka, Iran (32 08 57.72N, 56 42 25.77E). Note: the image is rotated so that north is toward the left.
Provenance: Google Earth
Students map folded rocks and creating cross sections even before we get to folds and fold terminology. I introduce terminology as they need it and use fold terrains to help them develop a picture of real-world fold structures.
Syncline in a mapping area near Dubinovka, Iran (32 08 57.72N, 56 42 25.77E). Strikes and dips are plotted on the image. Note: the image is rotated so that north is toward the left.
Provenance: Base image from Google Earth
Students begin by mapping strikes and dips on a simple fold structure in eastern Iran (right), add fold symbols to their maps (example at left), and sketch cross sections. They use what they have learned about outcrop patterns of contacts plus the Google Earth 3D view to help them visualize the structure.
Mapping area in Anti-Atlas Mountains of Algeria
Provenance: Google Earth
The tilt, pan, and rotate features in Google Earth are instrumental in helping students make sense of more complex fold terrains, and students have little difficulty mapping folds and creating schematic cross sections of areas such as the one in the Anti-Atlas Mountains of Algeria shown at left. Simple exercises such as these are important in helping students develop a picture of real-world fold structures.
Mapping area in Anti-Atlas Mtns. of Algeria alongside a reconstructed cross-section.
Provenance: Base image from Google Earth
Go to the next step: Other mapping projects
Go to Visualizing inclined contacts - Visualizing strike & dip - Visualizing vertical contacts - Visualizing horizontal contacts - Visualizing folds - Other mapping projects