GY403 Structural Geology Lab

Thickness and Depth Problems

 Special Case: horizontal attitude
Note: geological
contacts will
parallel 93 ft.
topographic
contour lines on 87 ft.
T=93-87 = 6 ft.
map.

Thickness (t) =
Elev. Upper
contact – Elev.
Lower contact
 Special Case: vertical attitude

Note: cross-section is perpendicular to

strike of unit. Thickness = outcrop width
in this case.
w

General Rule: If the dip

δ
(δ) of the unit is
perpendicular to the
ground surface then w
= t.
t
 NOTE: cross section is
perpendicular to strike of
strata
w= true outcrop width

t= true thickness
Cos β = (w) / (w’)
w = Cos β * (w’)

w’ = apparent
outcrop width

β
N

40
w = true
outcrop width

40
West East
Scenario: slope and dip are
inclined in opposite directions

West-facing slope w
σ
δ t
δ = true dip angle
σ = slope angle

Sin(δ+σ) = t/w
t = Sin(δ+σ) * w

Note: cross-section must be

perpendicular to strike of bedding
West East

Scenario: slope and dip are East-facing slope

inclined in same direction

δ-σ
w δ = true dip angle
σ = slope angle

σ
t δ

Sin(δ-σ) = t/w
t = Sin(δ-σ ) * w

Note: cross-section must be perpendicular to strike of bedding,

and slope angle (σ) must be measured perpendicular to strike.
 NOTE: cross section is
perpendicular to strike of
strata
w= true outcrop width

δ
δ
t

d= depth in
vertical drill
hole

Cos (δ) = t / d
d = t / Cos( δ)