Direction and Angle of Dip

In most cases the strata will be dipping at some angle between the
vertical and horizontal.
There are two aspects to the dip of a plane, which are:
1. Direction of dip
2. Angle of dip
Hor
iz
onta
l

1.

Direction of dip
the direction that
water would flow if
poured onto the
surface, measured
using a compass

Angle
of dip

2.

Angle of dip
from 0o for
horizontal bedding
to 90o from vertical
bedding, measured
using clinometer

Direction
of dip

To record the dip of a plane two numbers recording direction and angle of dip
are used. Hence, 140/38 is a plane that dips at 38o in the direction 140oN

Apparent Dip
Inclined bedding planes

True dip

Strike

Strike
Apparent
dip

True dip

Apparent
dip

Cutting =
Apparent dip

True dip maximum angle the

bed makes with the horizontal

Strike line Line at rights

to the true dip (all points on
a strike line are the same
distance above Ordnance
Datum, thus are also known
as structure contours)

Apparent dip a smaller

slope values in other
directions as the direction
moves round towards the
strike direction.

A cutting made through geological strata would unlikely be in the

same direction as the true dip hence apparent obtained

Structure Contours
The height of a geological boundary is
known where it crosses a topographical
contour line.
Therefore, a series of structure contours
can be drawn, which will show the
direction of the strike.

If the strata forms a simple inclined

plane, the structure contours will be
parallel and equally spaced.

The true dip of the strata is at right

angles to the strike lines, so its
direction can be assessed and the
angle of dip may be calculated using
simple trigonometry.

150m

Strike lines or
structure contours
50

100m
50m
True dip

50

Three Point Problem

Where the height of a uniformly dipping bed is known at three locations it is possible to find the
direction of strike and the angle of dip - t his is best illustrated by the following example.
Example 1
Three boreholes, lettered A,B and C, have been sunk at the locations shown on the
adjacent plan. A Coal seam was revealed at the following depths: A=50, B=0m (outcrop) &
C=25m. Deduce the dip and strike of the seam and show the outcrop pattern on the plan.
1)

From the contour lines and depths to the coal seam calculate
the values of the structure contours at the coal seam

2)

Join with a straight line the highest point on the coal seam (C =
225) to the lowest point on the coal seam (B = 150)
Divide this line into equal parts 225-150 = 75, 75/3 = 25m
drop between strike lines.
Construct the first strike line e.g. Point B=150 and point A=150

250-25 = 225

22
5
North

Direction
of dip
150-0 = 150Dip

175
12
5

15
0
225

4)
5)

17
5
200-50 = 150

125

20
0

3)

Construct other strike lines at the spacing determined in step 3

parallel to the first strike line

Dip

Direction of Dip = 207o

Angle of Dip

25
tan
155

25m
155m

9o

Dip 207 / 9

Mapping Questions:

Question 1
Deduce the dip and strike of the coal seam
which is seen to outcrop at points A, B and C.
At what depth would the coal seam be
encountered in a borehole sunk at point D?
Complete the outcrop of the seam.
Would a seam 200m below this one outcrop
within the area of the map?

1)

Join with a straight line the

highest point on the coal seam
(C = 600) to the lowest point on
the coal seam (A = 200)

2)

Divide this line into equal parts

600-200 = 400, 400/4 = 100m drop
between strike lines.

3)

Construct the first strike line e.g.

Point 400 and point B=400

600
500
400

4)
300
200

Construct other strike lines at the

spacing determined in step 2
parallel to the first strike line

Dip
Direction of Dip = 140o
Angle of Dip

530m

North

Direction
of dip

Dip
600

530m
500
North

Direction
of strike

100

100
tan
530

11o

Dip 140 /11

At what depth would the coal seam be
encountered in a borehole sunk at point D?

400

=200m

300
200

Direction of strike = 500

Direction of dip = direction
of strike +900

Fig.Q2(a) attached shows the geological conditions in an area of evenly dipping, unfaulted
strata of uniform original thickness.
(a) Use Fig. 1(b) to draw a topographic profile for the line XY.
(b) By drawing strike lines (stratum contours) for the geological junctions construct on Fig.
Q1(b) a vertical geological cross-section for the line XY.
(c) Construct a geological succession for the area showing the stratigraphic order of the beds
(oldest at the base) together with their vertical thicknesses, where possible.
(d) Determine the angle of dip and the strike of the beds.

Shale

Sandstone
Siltstone
Limestone

(a) Use Fig. 1(b) to draw a topographic profile for the line XY.
400
425

Shale

450
475
500
500
475
450
425

Sandstone

425
450

Siltstone
Limestone

475

475

47

47
5

45
0

42

42

45

0
50
0
47
5

50

47

45
0

42

40
0

(b) By drawing strike lines (stratum contours) for the geological junctions construct
on Fig. Q1(b) a vertical geological cross-section for the line XY.

Sh/Sa 450
Sh/Sa 425
Sh/Sa 400
Sa/Si 500
Sa/Si 475
Si/L 500

Sh/Sa450

Sh/Sa425

Sandstone

Sa/Si 450
Si/L 475

Sa/Si400
Si/L500

Sa/Si 425
Si/L 450
Si/L 425

Shale

Siltstone

Dip

Sa/Si475
Si/L500

Limestone

Sa/Si450
Si/L475
Sa/Si425
Si/L450

Ss

Ls
Si

100m

42
50

/ Si

Si /

L4

Sa

0
L5
Si /
0

Sa
Si/ /Si45
L4 0
75

47
/ Si
Sa
5

Sh
Sa / Sa 4
/ Si 0 0
50
0

5
42
/ Sa
Sh

Sh

/ Sa

45
0

Sh

(c) Construct a geological

succession for the area showing the
stratigraphic order of the beds
(oldest at the base) together with
their vertical thicknesses, where
possible.

25m
100m

Limestone
Siltstone
Sandstone

Shale

25m

(d) Determine the angle of dip and the strike of the beds.
Sh/Sa 425 Sh/Sa 450

Dip

124o

North

Sh/Sa 400
Sa/Si 500

Angle of Dip
North

Sa/Si 475
Si/L 500

Direction
of dip

Sa/Si 450
Si/L 475
Sa/Si 425
Si/L 450

tan
Dip

Si/L 425

Direction of Dip = 214o

Angle of Dip

Direction of Strike =

25
135m

100
530

25 11o
tan
135

Dip 214 /11

(a) Fig. Q2(a) attached shows the locations of three vertical boreholes drilled in order to assess the
geological conditions in the area shown. The thicknesses of the various strata encountered in these
boreholes are as indicated. By constructing strike lines (stratum contours) for the geological junctions
and assuming that the beds are evenly dipping, of constant sedimentary thickness and are neither
folded nor faulted, derive the surface geology so far as it may be safely predicted.
(b) Show the topographic profile for line XY on vertical profile, Fig. 2(b) attached and,utiising the strike
lines constructed on the map, draw a vertical geological cross-section for line XY.
(c) Comment briefly on the geological conditions for a horizontal tunnel, 2 m diameter, with an axis level
at 190 m above datum.

a) derive the surface geology so far as it may be safely predicted.

L/M225 Sh/L2405 M/M210 Sa/Si260 Si/Sh255

210

L/M220 Sh/L235 M/M205

L/M215 Sh/L230 M/M200

205
200

L/M210 Sh/L225
L/M205 Sh/L220
L/M200 Sh/L215
L/M195 Sh/L210

195
190
185
180

M/M195
M/M190
M/M185
M/M180

L/M190 Sh/L205 M/M185

180

L/M185 Sh/200

175

M/M180

L/M180 Sh/L195 M/M175

170
165

L/M175 Sh/L190 M/M170

L/M170 Sh/L185 M/M165
L/M165 Sh/L180 M/M160

Sa/Si255 Si/Sh250
Sa/Si250 Si/Sh245
Sa/Si245 Si/Sh240
Sa/Si240 Si/Sh235
Sa/Si235 Si/Sh230
Sa/Si230 Si/Sh225
Sa/Si225 Si/Sh220
Sa/Si220 Si/Sh215
Sa/Si215 Si/Sh210
Sa/Si210 Si/Sh205
Sa/Si205 Si/Sh200
Sa/Si200 Si/Sh195

Given in question - assuming that

the beds are evenly dipping, of
constant sedimentary thickness
and are neither folded nor faulted

3 point
problem

210-15=195

15

210-30=180

200
195

220-10=210

220-25=195

180

15
165

Marl
L/M225 Sh/L240 M/M210

Limestone

Mudstone

X
215
210

Sa/Si255 Si/Sh250

L/M220

Sh/L235 M/M205

L/M215

Sh/L230 M/M200

L/M210

Sh/L225 M/M195

L/M205 Sh/L220 M/M190

210

L/M200 Sh/L215 M/M185

Shale

L/M195 Sh/L210 M/M180

215

L/M190 Sh/L205 M/M175

L/M185 Sh/200

Siltstone215

Sandstone
205

Sa/Si250 Si/Sh245
Sa/Si245 Si/Sh240
Sa/Si240 Si/Sh235
Sa/Si235 Si/Sh230
Sa/Si230 Si/Sh225
Sa/Si225 Si/Sh220
Sa/Si220 Si/Sh215

M/M170
Sa/Si215 Si/Sh210

L/M180 Sh/L195 M/M165

210

Sa/Si260 Si/Sh255

L/M175 Sh/L190

M/M160

L/M170 Sh/L185

M/M155

L/M165 Sh/L180 M/M150

Sa/Si210 Si/Sh205
Sa/Si205 Si/Sh200
Sa/Si200 Si/Sh195

200

b)Show the topographic

profile for line XY on vertical
Y profile, Fig. 02(b) attached
and,utiising the strike lines
constructed on the map, draw
a vertical geological crosssection for line XY.

Siltstone

Shale

Sandstone

Limestone
Mudstone

5
21

X
L/M
Sh/L
M/M
Sa/Si
Si/Sh

0
21

0
21

195
210
180
230

190
205
175
225

185
200
170
220

5
21

5
21

0
21

5
20

0
20

(c)Comment briefly on the geological conditions for a horizontal tunnel, 2 m diameter, with
an axis level at 190 m above datum.

1. Mudstone can clog tunnelling machines. If excavate by

using pneumatic tools it can be difficult to break up.
2. Limestone possibly a confined aquifer therefore
possibly huge groundwater problems.
3. Shale some beds in the shale could be harder which
may case difficulties. Potential or roof collapse if left
unsupported.
4. Siltstone some water seepages (as water flows over
shale) Can be hard and abrasive on the tools.
5. Sandstone possible weathering of sands near the
surface possible water bearing

(a) A road tunnel is to be driven from Point A to Point B, shown on

fig. Q3, attached. A ground investigation has revealed the following
succession for the area.
Rock
Limestone
Mudstone
Shale
Siltstone
Sandstone

Thickness
unknown
25m
25m
25m
unknown

(a) Calculate the amount and direction of dip of the rock.

(b) Complete the geology of the area.
(c) Determine the drownthrow of the fault.
(d) Draw a cross-section along the line of the tunnel.
(e) Describe the problems that are likely to be encountered when
constructing the tunnel.

L-M 175

(a) Calculate the amount and

direction of dip of the rock.
Dip
Direction of Dip = 10o

North

Angle of Dip

Dip

L-M250

L-M 200

250-225=25

L-M 225

270

L-M 225 270m

L-M 250

tan

25
270

5.3o

Dip 10 / 5
L-M 275

Sandstone

Siltstone

Shale

(b) Complete the geology of the

area.
L-M 175
M-Sh 150
Sh-Si 125
Si-Sa 100

Mudstone
Limestone

Rock
Limestone
Mudstone
Shale
Siltstone
Sandstone

Thickness
unknown
25m
25m
25m
unknown

L-M 225 L-M 200

M-Sh 200 M-Sh 175
Sh-Si 175 Sh-Si 150
Si-Sa 150 Si-Sa 125

Limestone

L-M 250
M-Sh 225

Mudstone
Shale

Sh-Si 200
Si-Sa 175

Siltstone

Sandstone

L-M 275
Sh-Si255
M-Sh 250 Si-Sa 200

Geological boundary =
strike line and contour
line of same height
crosses

Sandstone

Siltstone

Shale

(c) Determine the

drownthrow of the fault.
L-M 175
M-Sh 150
Sh-Si 125
Si-Sa 100

Mudstone
Limestone

Ground surface

Bed
Heave
Normal Faults

Sh-Si 175 Sh-Si 150

Si-Sa 150 Si-Sa 125

Limestone

Difference in height e.g.

L-M225 L-M200 = 25m

L-M 250
M-Sh 225

Mudstone
Shale

Sandstone

Down Throw
Side

Throw
Up Throw Side

L-M 225 L-M 200

M-Sh 200 M-Sh 175

Siltstone

angle of heave

Sh-Si 200
Si-Sa 175

Downthrow of fault = 25m

L-M 275
Sh-Si255
M-Sh 250 Si-Sa 200

Sandstone

Shale

Siltstone

L-M 175

(d) Draw a cross-section along

the line of the tunnel.

M-Sh 150
Sh-Si 125
Si-Sa 100

Mudstone
Limestone
200
225

250

A
L-M 225 L-M 200
M-Sh 200 M-Sh 175
Sh-Si 175 Sh-Si 150
Si-Sa 150 Si-Sa 125

275

Limestone
300
300

275

L-M 250
250

M-Sh 225

Mudstone
Shale

Siltstone225

Sh-Si 200
Si-Sa 175

DD

200

Sandstone

L-M 275
Sh-Si255
M-Sh 250 Si-Sa 200

300

L-M 200

L-M 250

M-Sh 175

M-Sh 225

L-M 275
M-Sh 250

Sh-Si 150
Si-Sa 125

Sh-Si 200
Si-Sa 175

Sh-Si255
Si-Sa 200

275

or Dip 50

Limestone

250
Mudstone

225

Shale

200

Tunnel

Siltstone

175
Sandstone

150

25m
Basalt
Dyke

125

250

275

300
300

275

250

F
225

200

225

100

D
D

Fault