Traces of planes

Do not use a ruler. For inferred lines, degree of uncertainty can be shown by spacing of dashes.
Geological Mapping Symbols
Faults Topographic Features Practical Considerations
Boundaries
Solid geological boundary, position Use a different colour, normally red, and a thicker line for Usually in a different colour.
constrained at scale of mapping. faults. If unclear mark fault lines with an F. Line combinations
Solid geological boundary, marking a Break of slope below steep slope. Dashed lines
specific part in a gradational change. mark break. V’s on steep side. To prevent problems of superposing lines, the portions of which are
Inferred, solid geological boundary,
F Fault, position constrained at scale of indistinguishable at the scale of mapping, line types can be combined.
Break of slope above steep slope. Dashed lines Examples of combinations of break of slope are shown below. Similar
position not constrained to the scale of mapping. mark break. ticks on steep side. combinations can be made with gully symbols and crestlines.
mapping. Valley axis. Fewer "x"s to indicate
Bedding form lines. Use a different
colour if possible. F Fault, position not constrained at scale
rounded sides, more ticks to indicate
sharp sides. Solid boundary + break of slope
of mapping. Gully/ Ridge. Use the v shapes as if
Drift boundary. they were contours to show the topography. If contours Drift boundary + break of slope
F? Probable fault, position constrained at lacking solid arrow head shows downhill direction
Fold axial traces scale of mapping.
Crestline. Fewer ticks to indicate Solid + drift
rounded sides, more ticks to indicate boundary
Trace of antiform.
F? Probable fault, position not sharp sides. Inferred boundary + break of
constrained at scale of mapping. Cliff-blocks on vertical face slope
Trace of synform.
5 Inferred boundary + drift + break of slope
Trace of recumbent fold. Planar slope. Slope angle in degrees is
shown.
Trace of inferred antiform.
Structural Measurements Concave
slope.
Lithological Symbols
Trace of inferred synform. The degree of constraint can be shown by marking
Geological
Trace of inferred recumbent fold.
Linear measurements Convex slope.
constraints:
where rock is exposed. This technique needs to
be used sensibly. Measurements imply exposure.
Single or double digits should be used to indicate
Mark the plunge in degrees and where space permits the azimuth (3 where rock is observed, eg.
figs).
Mark both as close to the arrowhead as possible. Draw approx. length x exposure of rock observed
Planar measurements in the precise azimuth direction measured. The tip of the arrow Flat ground, surrounding line usually
a break of slope symbol X
should be positioned on the measurement point. exposure of rock observed from a distance
Mark the dip in degrees as near to dip tick as possible. Where space
permits mark the strike in degrees (3 figs) at the correct end of the
strike line. Draw strike line at the precise orientation measured. The Plunge and azimuth of antiformal fold axis. Mound, spot marks summit This list is not exhaustive. Adapt the symbols
intersection of the dip tick and strike line should be positioned on Drift: shown if drift lithologies can be defined more
measurement point. explicitly.

Strike and dip of bedding Plunge and azimuth of synformal fold axis.
Depression
C H
Head, solifluction
deposits

Strike and dip of undifferentiated foliations

Plunge and azimuth of S fold axis.
Depression, water filled. C Scree

Blown Sand
S

Strike and dip of penetrative foliation

Alluvium
Strike and dip of spaced foliation Plunge and azimuth of Z fold axis.
Z

Æ
Alluvial Fan Deposits
Strike and dip of crenulation foliation C
Plunge and azimuth of M fold axis. Multiple measurements and structural Peat
Strike and dip of anastamosing foliation M Fold data can be augmented by letters to show
association: chronology
P=fold with penetrative foliation axial planar Present Beach
Where a sequence of structures is identified at a locality, the
S = spaced, C = crenulation, A = anastamosing relative chronology of these is marked with Roman numerals.
Undifferentiated fold axial surface 2 Raised Beach. Number used to
An example is shown here.
indicate beach level in raised
Undifferentiated lineation 48 beach sequence
Fold axial surface with axial planar penetrative foliation I 082
B/C Intersection lineation:
Letters indicate which planar features
S 19/104
017 Undifferentiated Till
Fold axial surface with axial planar spaced foliation B/C
intersect 67 II
B/A B = Bedding 82 Boulder Clay
Fold axial surface with axial planar crenulation foliation F = undifferentiated foliation 032
P = penetrative S = spaced
C = crenulation For multiple measurements, locate the earliest structure
S

A = anastamosing Moraine
Fold axial surface with axial planar anastamosing (normally bedding) and position on the measurement point.
foliation Mark equivalent fold asymmetry (S,Z or M) Other measurements should be clustered closely enough that they
where possible are clearly from the same locality.
Pervasive lineation such as mineral or
Strike and dip of Joints shape fabric Made ground, natural features
Surface lineation such as slickenline Notebook Cross-Reference obscured by reworking by man.

Strike and dip of faults

dart and arrows indicate 24 Locality number.
dip and strike separation directions respectively Other symbols Glacial movement indicators
Younging direction. Tail of Y points towards youngest 24 View sketch with notebook reference.
Strike and dip of igneous contact or sheet strata. Mark azimuth of flow at arrow head.
Younging symbols should only be used in conjunction
G with a bedding reading.
Letter indicates type of evidence: Glacial striae
G = graded bedding; X = cross stratification; S = sole
markings; R = ripples; M = mud cracks; E = erosive base.