Name
Date
PreLab: Structural Geology
Resources:
 Marshak Lab Manual – Chapter 15: Interpreting Geologic Structures on Block Diagrams, Geologic
Maps, and Cross Sections
 This web site has some simple drawings of map symbols (scroll down to almost the bottom of the
page). http://www.geo.utexas.edu/courses/303/303_lab/StructureLab303.html
 The slide show on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzZFMWH-lSQ gives some good
visuals. It is about 9 minutes long, and describes strike and dip and folds.
Part I: Map Symbols and Rock Layer Orientation
1. Describe in your own words the meaning of “strike”.
2. Describe in your own words the meaning of “dip”.
Note: North is at the top of the page for questions 3 and 4.
3. The strike and dip of the stratigraphic layer with the symbol to the right is:
a. strike N-S, dip 75o to the E OR b. strike E-W, dip 75o to the S
4. The strike and dip for the stratigraphic layer is with the symbol to the
right is: Strike:
Dip:
5. Draw the symbol for a horizontal stratum (sedimentary bed):
Part II: Interpretation
6. Draw a thick line over the fault and then label the
hanging wall and footwall in the image to the right.
7. Draw arrows on the diagram to show the relative
motion on either side of the fault.
8. The hanging wall is moving
footwall.
relative to the
9. This is a
fault.
10. The photo at the right shows a stratigraphic
sequence that has been folded. This type of fold
is called a(n)
11. Based on the stratigraphic Law of
, the oldest rock in the fold is located where?
.
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12. The aerial photograph to the right shows a large, faulted area.
This fault is nearly vertical and the arrows show the sense of
motion on each side of the fault. What type of fault is this?
a. normal
b. reverse
c. thrust
d. strike-slip
Specifically this is a
lateral fault.
This is a famous fault in California. It is the
Fault.
Part III: Block Diagrams
13. The diagram at right shows a fault. The arrows show what kind of force?
Draw arrows that show the relative motions of
the left and right blocks.
What type of fault will be produced?
a. normal
b. reverse
c. thrust
d. strike-slip
14. The diagram below shows a fault. What type of fault will be produced?
a. normal
b. reverse
c. thrust
d. strike-slip
Part IV: Plate Boundaries , Forces, and Faults
15. Circle the correct answers or fill in the blanks.
a. Convergent plate boundaries are the result of tensional/compressional forces and most often
result in creating normal/reverse faults.
b. Divergent plate boundaries are the result of tensional/compressional forces and most often
result in creating normal/reverse faults.
c. Transform plate boundaries create
faults.
d. On a map surface, an exposed fold that has the youngest rock in the center is an anticline/ a
syncline and the strata on the fold limbs dip towards/away from the axis.
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