Skip to main content
Log in

Digital mapping in structural geology — Examples from Namibia and Greece

  • Published:
Journal of the Geological Society of India

Abstract

Many problems in geology, especially structural geology, can only be solved by detailed mapping. Presently, mapping is still mainly carried out on paper using techniques from the 19th Century. However, tools are now available to carry out most mapping tasks on microcomputers in the field without any need of paper. This speeds up geological mapping and reduces the errors involved in the mapping process. Digital mapping also allows work in featureless areas and areas of great structural complexity that would not be possible using paper maps. We present two practical examples of the new technology of digital mapping using microcomputers, from Namibia and Greece.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Clegg, P., Bruciatelli, L., Domingos, F., Jones, R.R., De Donatis, M. and Wilson, R.W. (2006) Digital geological mapping with tablet PC and PDA: A comparison. Computers & Geosciences, v.32, pp.1682–1698.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grasemann, B., Martel, S. and Passchier, C.W. (2005) Reverse and normal drag along a fault. Jour. Struc. Geol., v.27, pp.999–1010.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gray, D.R., Forster, D.A., Goscombe, B., Passchier, C.W. and Trouw, R.A.J. (2006) 40Ar/39Ar thermochronology of the Pan African Damara Orogen, Namibia, with implications for tectonothermal and geodynamic evolution. Precambrian Res., v.150, pp.49–72.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gray, D.R., Foster, D.A., Meert, J.G., Goscombe, B.D., Armstrong, R., Trouw, R.A.J. and Passchier, C.W. (2008) A Damara orogen perspective on the assembly of southwestern Gondwana. Geol. Soc. London Spec. Publ., no.294, pp.257–278.

  • Harrell, J.A. and Brown, V.M. (1992) The world’s oldest surviving geological map — the 1150 BC Turin papyrus from Egypt. Jour. Geol., v.100, pp.3–18.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Herbert, S. (2005) Charles Darwin, geologist. Cornell Univerist Press, 485p.

  • Jones, R.R., Mccaffrey, K.J.W., Clegg, P., Wilson, R.W., Holliman, N., Holdsworth, R.E., Imber, J. and Waggott, S. (2009) Integration of regional to outcrop digital data: 3D visualisation of multi-scale geological models. Computers & Geosciences, v.35, pp.4–18.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maerten, L., Pollard, D.D. and Maerten, F. (2001) Digital mapping of three-dimensional structures of the Chimney Rock fault system, central Utah. Jour. Struc. Geol., v.23, pp.585–592.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mccaffrey, K.J.W., Jones, R.R., Holdsworth, R.E., Wilson, R.W., Clegg, P., Imber, J., Holliman, N. and Trinks, I. (2005) Unlocking the spatial dimension: digital technologies and the future of geoscience fieldwork. Jour. Geol. Soc., London, v.162, pp.927–938.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mynatt, I., Bergbauer, S. and Pollard, D.D. (2007) Using differential geometry to describe 3-D folds. Jour. Struc. Geol., v.29, pp.1256–1266.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Passchier, C.W., Mancktelow, N.S. and Grasemann, B. (2005) Flow perturbations: a tool to study and characterize heterogeneous deformation. Jour. Struc. Geol., v.27, pp.1011–1026.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Passchier, C.W., Trouw, R.A.J., Goscombe, B., Gray, D. and Kröner, A. (2007) Intrusion mecahnisms in a turbidite sequence: the Voetspoor and Doros plutons in NW Namibia. Jour. Struc. Geol., v.29, pp.481–496.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pearce, M.A., Jones, R.R., Smith, S.A.F., Mccaffrey, K.J.W. and Clegg, P. (2006) Numerical analysis of fold curvature using data acquired by high-precision GPS. Jour. Struc. Geol., v.28, pp.1640–1646.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pollard, D.D. and Fletcher, R.C. (2005) Fundamentals of Structural Geology. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK, 500p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rice, A.H.N., Team ACCEL and IGME. (2008) Low-angled detachment geometry and evolution based on a new geological map of Kea, W. Cyclades, Greece. Geophysical Research Abstracts, 10, EGU2008-A-03182.

  • Schmitt, R.S., Trouw, R.A.J., Van Schmus, W.R. and Passchier, C.W. (2008) Cambrian orogeny in the Ribeira Belt (SE Brazil) and correlations within West Gondwana: Ties that bind underwater. Geol. Soc. London, Spec. Publ., no.294, pp.279–296.

  • Winchester, S. (2001) The map that changed the world. Penguin Group.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Cees W. Passchier.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Passchier, C.W., Exner, U. Digital mapping in structural geology — Examples from Namibia and Greece. J Geol Soc India 75, 32–42 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12594-010-0022-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12594-010-0022-z

Keywords

Navigation