croninprojects.org/Course/IntroStructGeol/3445-Lab-2019.html

Students working together on a lab activity.

Students working together on a lab activity.


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Structural Geology Lab, 2019

This page is (always) under construction
This page was revised 25 August 2019.

Lab 1: Rock types and fabrics


Lab 2: Some basic map skills

  1. Contouring simple topographic data
    1. Presentation on mapping topographic surfaces: PDF version or Keynote version
    2. Interpolation of elevation of a point between two points of known elevation: ContourMap1.pdf
    3. Example of grid contouring: ContourMap2.pdf
    4. Simple contouring exercises: SimpleContouringExercise.pdf
  2. Coordinate systems -- Excerpt1-Lab1-AGILM.pdf
    1. Geographic lat-long coordinates
    2. UTM coordinates
    3. Cartesian coordinates (assuming a spherical Earth)
  3. Scales: bar scales, fractional scales
  4. Distance and azimuth on a paper map
  5. Determining the coordinates of a point on a map
  6. Finding where a point is located on a map given the coordinates
  7. Source of GeoPDF files of USGS topographic maps: viewer.nationalmap.gov/basic/?basemap=b1&category=ustopo&title=US Topo Download
  8. USGS Quaternary Fault and Fold Database of the United States: https://earthquake.usgs.gov/hazards/qfaults/


Lab 3: Some useful math and programming skills

  1. Sig figs, rounding, and simple counting statistics -- Excerpt2-Lab1-AGILM.pdf
  2. Basics of vectors and vector arithmetic -- VectorSummary.pdf
    Worksheet on vectors: VectorWorksheet.pdf
  3. Introduction to matrices -- Matrices.pdf
    Worksheet on matrices: matrix_dot_product_worksheet.v2.pdf
  4. Orthogonal coordinate transformations -- OrthogonalCoordTrans.pdf
    Worksheet on coordinate transformations: CoordTransHW.pdf
  5. Using spreadsheets to solve common types of problems; examples
    1. Bearing.xls
    2. CrossProduct.xls
    3. FindDecimalDegrees.xls
    4. FindLatAndLong.xls
    5. FindLocationVector.xls
    6. FindTangentialSpeed.xls
    7. FindVectorAngle.xls
    8. GPS TriStrain Calculator: https://d32ogoqmya1dw8.cloudfront.net/files/getsi/teaching_materials/gps_strain/gps_strain_calculator_excel.v3.xls
    9. RelMotionDirection.xls
    10. SimpleCountingStatistics.xlsx
  6. Using Mathematica to solve common types of problems
    For examples of Mathematica notebooks, refer to the list on the cours home page

Lab 4: Orientation measurements in the field with a Brunton compass

  1. Basic measurement skills with a Brunton compass: BruntonCompassBasics.html
  2. Worksheet: MeasuringWithABrunton.pdf
  3. Manual for operating the Brunton Pocket Transit: Brunton_Transit_Manual.pdf

Lab 5: Structural contour maps

Review information from Lab 2 about contouring data

  1. Subsurface mapping physical model exercise: box grid map
  2. Visualizing faulted surfaces using physical models
  3. First faulted subsurface map: ContourMap3.pdf
  4. Second faulted subsurface map: ContourMap4.pdf

Lab 6: Structural-geologic surface maps

  1. Intersection of two surfaces
  2. 3-point problems
    1. Explanation of simple 3-point problem: 3-point-problem-explanation.pdf
    2. Example given only the location and elevation of points: 3-point_problem.pdf
    3. 3-point problem using topographic contours for elevation data: 3Point-Topo.pdf
  3. Working with contacts, contact traces, and unit thickness using topographic maps
    1. Analyzing a complicated-looking contact on a topographic map: Inclined-contact-topo.pdf
    2. Contacts of vertical, horizontal, and inclined planes depicted on a topographic map: vertical-horizontal-inclined-planes.pdf
    3. Explanation of how to determine the thickness of an inclined planar bed using topographic contours: Thickness-explanation.pdf
    4. Working with bed thickness using contacts of inclined beds on a topographic map: thickness-topo.pdf

Lab 7: Structural cross sections, part 1

Set of simple cross-section problems: BasicCrossSections.pdf



Lab 8: Structural cross sections, part 2

  1. CindyTopMap.jpg
  2. CindyBottomMap.jpg
  3. CindyXsec.jpg


Lab 9: GETSI module, units 1 & 2

A good online source of information about GPS technology and its use in geoscience is the UNAVCO Spotlight site accessible via https://spotlight.unavco.org.

  1. Student resources for GETSI module "GPS, Strain, and Earthquakes": serc.carleton.edu/s/getsi/gps_strain/index.html
  2. Background information about GPS/GNSS technology and its application in geoscience: https://spotlight.unavco.org
  3. What can GPS tell us about future earthquakes? https://www.iris.edu/hq/inclass/animation/pacific_northwest_vs_japan_similar_tectonic_settings or, for a direct download, https://www.unavco.org/education/outreach/animations/Japan-vs-PacificNW_What-can-GPS-tell-us.mp4
  4. Sendai/Tohoku-oki earthquake displacements using 1 Hz data (by Ronni Grapenthin): https://youtu.be/rMhhyb6Yy94
  5. GPS as an essential component of Cascadia earthquake early warning: https://www.iris.edu/hq/inclass/animation/earthquake_early_warning_pacific_northwest_subduction_zone or, for a direct download, https://www.unavco.org/education/outreach/animations/GPSEarthquakeEarlyWarning.mp4
  6. Physical models of Earth structures: PhysModelAnimations.html and http://croninprojects.org/Vince/PhysModel/

  7. Extension in 1D, using a rubber band: ExtensionWorksheetV2.pdf

Lab 10: GETSI Unit 3 & 4

  1. Student resources for GETSI module "GPS, Strain, and Earthquakes": serc.carleton.edu/s/getsi/gps_strain/index.html
  2. Cascadia strain example: http://croninprojects.org/GETSI-EER2018/5.oregon_cascadia_post-exercise_.v3.pdf (pdf, 1.8 MB) [PowerPoint original 1.9 MB]
  3. Graphic summary of the triangle-strain analysis: http://croninprojects.org/GETSI-EER2018/6.gps_infinitesimal_strain_analy.v2.pdf (pdf, 3.1 MB) [PowerPoint original 3.1 MB]
  4. Images of different strain scenarios for triangles: http://croninprojects.org/GETSI-EER2018/gps_triangle_strain_ellipse.pdf (pdf, 1.8 MB) [Microsoft Word .docx file, 1.8 MB]
  5. Interactive PBO GPS network map: http://www.unavco.org/instrumentation/networks/status/pbo/gps
  6. How to find PBO GPS data: https://d32ogoqmya1dw8.cloudfront.net/files/getsi/teaching_materials/gps_strain/finding_gps_data_oregon.v6.docx
  7. Cascadia example worksheets: http://croninprojects.org/GETSI-EER2018/Cascadia-Example.pdf (.pdf file 2 MB) [Microsoft Word .docx file, 2 MB]
  8. Generic datasheet for velocity data from 3 GPS/GNSS sites: http://croninprojects.org/Vince/Geodesy/GPS-strain-datasheet.pdf (pdf file, 125.8 kb)
  9. GPS strain Calculators
  10. How to interpret the strain calculator output: https://d32ogoqmya1dw8.cloudfront.net/files/getsi/teaching_materials/gps_strain/explanation_gps_strain_calculator.v3.pdf (.pdf file) [Microsoft Word .docx file]
  11. Strain ellipse visualization tool (https://d32ogoqmya1dw8.cloudfront.net/files/getsi/teaching_materials/gps_strain/strain_ellipse_visualization_t.zip), which requires a free copy of Wolfram CDF Player (http://www.wolfram.com/cdf-player/)
  12. Background information

Lab 7: GETSI unit 4 & 6

  1. Student resources for GETSI module "GPS, Strain, and Earthquakes": serc.carleton.edu/s/getsi/gps_strain/index.html
  2. Description of student GPS project (Unit 6): http://croninprojects.org/Vince/Geodesy/GPS_ProjDescr.pdf (pdf file, 171.1 kb)
  3. Generic datasheet for GPS-strain project (Unit 6): http://croninprojects.org/Vince/Geodesy/GPS-strain-datasheet.pdf (pdf file, 125.8 kb)
  4. Rubric for student project presentations (Unit 6): http://croninprojects.org/Vince/Geodesy/GPS-Strain-Project-Rubric.pdf (pdf file, 99.6 kb)
  5. USGS Quaternary Fault and Fold Database of the United States: https://earthquake.usgs.gov/hazards/qfaults/


Lab 9: GETSI Presentations

Students will present their GPS strain projects during this lab period in a manner similar to the "oral sessions" at geoscience meetings, using presentation software (PowerPoint, Keynote, etc.) to deliver a 5-minute talk.

Rubric for student project presentations (Unit 6 of the GETSI module): http://croninprojects.org/Vince/Geodesy/GPS-Strain-Project-Rubric.pdf (pdf file, 99.6 kb)



Lab 10: GETSI Unit 5

Using the tools we have developed in previous labs, we will examine data related to the 2014 Napa earthquake (M6) to better understand how the crust deforms during a significant earthquake. This is Unit 5 of the GETSI module.

Student resources for GETSI module "GPS, Strain, and Earthquakes": serc.carleton.edu/s/getsi/gps_strain/index.html


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Other files and resources

Relevant UNAVCO/IRIS animations and videos

  1. UNAVCO videos on U-Tube: https://www.youtube.com/user/unavcovideos
  2. Animation-and-video homepage at UNAVCO: https://www.unavco.org/education/outreach/animations/animations.html
  3. Earthscope's geodetic component -- Plate Boundary Observatory (PBO) overview: https://youtu.be/EPlCcRFpTuU
  4. GPS Measures Deformation in Subduction Zones: Ocean/continent: https://www.iris.edu/hq/inclass/animation/gps_measures_deformation_in_subduction_zones_oceancontinent or, for direct download, https://www.iris.edu/hq/inclass/downloads/download/95
  5. GPS Measures Deformation in Subduction Zone: Island Arc Setting: https://www.iris.edu/hq/inclass/animation/gps_measures_deformation_in_subduction_zone_island_arc_setting or, for direct download, https://www.iris.edu/hq/inclass/downloads/download/96
  6. GPS Records Variable Deformation across a Subduction Zone: https://www.iris.edu/hq/inclass/animation/gps_records_variable_deformation_across_a_subduction_zone or, for direct download, https://www.iris.edu/hq/inclass/downloads/download/92
  7. What can GPS tell us about future earthquakes? https://www.iris.edu/hq/inclass/animation/pacific_northwest_vs_japan_similar_tectonic_settings or, for a direct download, https://www.unavco.org/education/outreach/animations/Japan-vs-PacificNW_What-can-GPS-tell-us.mp4
  8. Sendai/Tohoku-oki earthquake displacements using 1 Hz data (by Ronni Grapenthin): https://youtu.be/rMhhyb6Yy94
  9. GPS as an essential component of Cascadia earthquake early warning: https://www.iris.edu/hq/inclass/animation/earthquake_early_warning_pacific_northwest_subduction_zone or, for a direct download, https://www.unavco.org/education/outreach/animations/GPSEarthquakeEarlyWarning.mp4
  10. ShakeAlert: Earthquake Early Warning System for Napa earthquake 2014: https://www.iris.edu/hq/inclass/animation/shakealert_earthquake_early_warning_system or, for direct download, https://www.iris.edu/hq/inclass/downloads/download/407
  11. Basin & Range: GPS measures extension: https://www.iris.edu/hq/inclass/animation/basin__range_gps_measures_extension or, for direct download, https://www.iris.edu/hq/inclass/downloads/download/193
  12. Tectonics & Earthquakes of the Himalaya: https://www.iris.edu/hq/inclass/animation/tectonics__earthquakes_of_the_himalaya or, for direct download, https://www.iris.edu/hq/inclass/downloads/download/466
  13. Volcano Monitoring: Measuring Deformation and Tilt with GPS: https://www.iris.edu/hq/inclass/animation/volcano_monitoring_measuring_deformation_and_tilt_with_gps or, for direct download, https://www.iris.edu/hq/inclass/downloads/download/138
  14. Glaciers are retreating. How can we measure the full ice loss? https://youtu.be/FVm3rZZs49s?list=PLzmugeDoplFOot41MIBBZiLYBCB0M-p1P
  15. Plate tectonics 540Ma to the modern world, from Chris Scotese: https://youtu.be/g_iEWvtKcuQ
  16. Plate tectonics 240Ma to 250 million years in the future, from Chris Scotese: https://youtu.be/uLahVJNnoZ4

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