Cross Section Method & Resources
A few years ago, I developed a method to help students to quickly draft geologically admissible geologic. My method incorporates heavily modified aspects of the classic Busk (1929) and Kink (Suppe, 1989) methods and is only suitable for concentric, parallel folds where folded layers can be assumed to maintain constant thickness. This method is especially well suited for students in field methods and summer field courses, who must construct cross sections from their own field data.
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Cross Section Method Instructions
Multipage handout with detailed instructions on how to use this method to draft a geologically admissible cross section. Also contains nomogram for determining apparent dips and example layouts.
• Handout (PDF) -
Activity 1: Plotting dip domains
Use this activity to practice plotting dip data on a topographic profile and projecting dip domains
• Handout (PDF)
• Instructor KEY (PDF) -
Activity 2: Simple syncline
Use the activity to practice projecting a contact through two dip domains to form a simple syncline
• Handout (PDF)
• Instructor KEY (PDF) -
Activity 3: Multiple folded contacts
Use this activity to practice projecting several contacts through multiple dip domains in a simple anticline
• Handout (PDF)
• Instructor KEY (PDF) -
Activity 4: Simple fault
This activity provides practice with projecting a simple fault and strata in adjacent fault blocks.
• Handout (PDF)
• Instructor KEY (PDF) -
Activity 5: Resolving dip domains
This activity provides practice with resolving multiple overlapping dip domains.
• Handout (PDF)
• Instructor KEY (PDF) -
Activity 6: Overturned fold
This activity provides practice with projecting strata involved in an overturned fold.
• Handout (PDF)
• Instructor KEY (PDF)