Structure contours, vertical cross-sections, three-point problems and applications

Seth C. Kruckenberg, University of Wisconsin-Madison

This activity is part of the On the Cutting Edge Peer Reviewed Teaching Activities collection. (view details)

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Scientific Accuracy
Alignment of Learning Goals, Activities, and Assessments
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Initial Publication Date: June 1, 2012 | Reviewed: January 17, 2015

(see revision history: 2 events)

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Summary

This exercise makes use of geologic maps, structure contour and cross-section problems, and three-point calculations to help students conceptualize three-dimensional spatial relationships of geologic structures, with applications to structural geology.

Structural Visualizations, Regional Structural/Tectonic Activity, ...(more) | College Lower (13-14), College Upper (15-16)

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Context

Audience

Undergraduate required course in structural geology.

Skills and concepts that students must have mastered

Students should have a working knowledge of geologic contacts, bedding attitudes, and the basic concepts of strike and dip. Prior exercises to help with spatial reasoning are also useful.

How the activity is situated in the course

This exercise is usually taught early in the course after a discussion of the basic skills and concepts discussed above.

Goals

Content/concepts goals for this activity

The goals of this exercise are to: 1) review learned knowledge of specific structures; 2) identify and interpret structural geometries based on the topographic expression of geologic units and associated structural measurements through the construction of map outcrop patterns and cross-sections; and 3) conceptualize and characterize three-dimensional geometric surfaces in the subsurface using well data and three-point analytical techniques.