A cross section or cross-section, in geology, is a diagram representing the geologic features intersecting a vertical plane, and is used to illustrate an area's structure and stratigraphy that would otherwise be hidden underground. The features described in a cross section can include rock units, faults, topography, and more. They often accompany geologic maps, complementing the overhead view with a side-on view, which can help to visualize the three-dimensional structure of the region and clarify the relationships between features.[1][2]
A cross section of the Anadarko Basin. The letters A and B at the top correspond to the line labeled A--B on the smaller map. In this example, the vertical scale is exaggerated compared to the horizontal scale.
A cross section is drawn as a vertical map, as if the ground had been cut open and exposed along a given line. Various lines, colors, patterns, and symbols are used to represent different rock sections and features. Because the length of the studied area is often much greater than the depth, the diagram's scale can be vertically exaggerated to emphasize the depth or height of features and make them more visible. The plane a cross section illustrates is typically labeled as a line on a map of the surrounding region.
An example cross section of an anticline with a dike cutting through, with the map of its surface expression showing strike and dip information
Cross sections are made by interpreting and extrapolating a broad range of information about a region's geological characteristics. This can include data from the surface, subsurface, and existing geologic maps. Analyzed data can include rock samples, structure orientation, boreholes, relationships between structures, seismic surveys, etc.[2] Because much of the extrapolated information cannot be directly observed, there is an inherent amount of uncertainty about the accuracy of the final product.[3][4]
^Stieglitz, Ronald D. (1988), "Cross-sections", General Geology, Encyclopedia of Earth Science, Dordrecht: Kluwer Academic Publishers, pp. 100–103, doi:10.1007/0-387-30844-x_21, ISBN978-0-442-22499-8, retrieved 2021-11-14
^ ab"The geological cross-sections. Institut Cartogràfic i Geològic de Catalunya". www.icgc.cat. Retrieved 2021-11-14.
^Randle, Charles H.; Bond, Clare E.; Lark, R. Murray; Monaghan, Alison A. (2018-04-24). "Can uncertainty in geological cross-section interpretations be quantified and predicted?". Geosphere. 14 (3): 1087–1100. Bibcode:2018Geosp..14.1087R. doi:10.1130/GES01510.1. hdl:2164/10441. ISSN 1553-040X.
^Lark, R. M.; Thorpe, S.; Kessler, H.; Mathers, S. J. (2014-07-17). "Expert modelling of a geological cross-section from boreholes: sources of uncertainty and their quantification" (PDF). Solid Earth Discussions. 6 (2): 1687. Bibcode:2014SolED...6.1687L. doi:10.5194/sed-6-1687-2014.
External linksedit
USGS National Geologic Map Database
May 05, 2024
cross, section, geology, cross, section, cross, section, geology, diagram, representing, geologic, features, intersecting, vertical, plane, used, illustrate, area, structure, stratigraphy, that, would, otherwise, hidden, underground, features, described, cross. A cross section or cross section in geology is a diagram representing the geologic features intersecting a vertical plane and is used to illustrate an area s structure and stratigraphy that would otherwise be hidden underground The features described in a cross section can include rock units faults topography and more They often accompany geologic maps complementing the overhead view with a side on view which can help to visualize the three dimensional structure of the region and clarify the relationships between features 1 2 A cross section of the Anadarko Basin The letters A and B at the top correspond to the line labeled A B on the smaller map In this example the vertical scale is exaggerated compared to the horizontal scale A cross section is drawn as a vertical map as if the ground had been cut open and exposed along a given line Various lines colors patterns and symbols are used to represent different rock sections and features Because the length of the studied area is often much greater than the depth the diagram s scale can be vertically exaggerated to emphasize the depth or height of features and make them more visible The plane a cross section illustrates is typically labeled as a line on a map of the surrounding region An example cross section of an anticline with a dike cutting through with the map of its surface expression showing strike and dip information Cross sections are made by interpreting and extrapolating a broad range of information about a region s geological characteristics This can include data from the surface subsurface and existing geologic maps Analyzed data can include rock samples structure orientation boreholes relationships between structures seismic surveys etc 2 Because much of the extrapolated information cannot be directly observed there is an inherent amount of uncertainty about the accuracy of the final product 3 4 See also editSection restorationReferences edit Stieglitz Ronald D 1988 Cross sections General Geology Encyclopedia of Earth Science Dordrecht Kluwer Academic Publishers pp 100 103 doi 10 1007 0 387 30844 x 21 ISBN 978 0 442 22499 8 retrieved 2021 11 14 a b The geological cross sections Institut Cartografic i Geologic de Catalunya www icgc cat Retrieved 2021 11 14 Randle Charles H Bond Clare E Lark R Murray Monaghan Alison A 2018 04 24 Can uncertainty in geological cross section interpretations be quantified and predicted Geosphere 14 3 1087 1100 Bibcode 2018Geosp 14 1087R doi 10 1130 GES01510 1 hdl 2164 10441 ISSN 1553 040X Lark R M Thorpe S Kessler H Mathers S J 2014 07 17 Expert modelling of a geological cross section from boreholes sources of uncertainty and their quantification PDF Solid Earth Discussions 6 2 1687 Bibcode 2014SolED 6 1687L doi 10 5194 sed 6 1687 2014 External links editUSGS National Geologic Map Database Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Cross section geology amp oldid 1193289074, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
