Hello Virginia,

Lots of good advice on sources of good structural problem maps and solutions. I particularly like Derek Powell’s partly because we were once colleagues and remain good friends. Problem maps can be a great teaching tool but they are really cross word puzzles rather than the real thing. So in this sense think of Derek and the other authors in much the same way that you would think of cross word puzzle setters.

In our experience getting students to apply these techniques to real geological maps and to construct good “balancable” cross section is the key issue. Quite often students can learn to recognise the appropriate technique and apply it when confronted with a problem map but then fail take the lessons across to the real world. Think about coupling the puzzle exercises with work on published maps, particularly if you can then take them off and walk them across the map.

I’d also urge you to think about augmenting the teaching of map and problem map work on paper by draping your chosen exercises on to a DEM and getting the students to play digitally in 3d. A lot of our academic users of Move are now doing this either as a demonstration exercise or by getting the students to do it themselves depending on what kit they have in the labs. The students love it and things they struggle to understand on problem maps become much easier for many when they can play in 3d and build bits of the model that join the section to the map. Plus all the tools to balance and forward model are there in Move for you too.

Good luck with this, map and section skills are critical for all professional geologists and really do need the best teaching and support right through university. Keep up the good work!

Alan

Software available from:

http://www.mve.com/academic/academic-software-initative

Hi Virginia

I support Markos’s recommendation – Powell (1992) has an excellent selection of map-based problems that covers structure contours, drill-hole problems, cross section construction techniques, fault displacement and fold geometry analysis. It is superbly illustrated with line diagrams of conceptual diagrams, hypothetical map scenarios and worked examples. The exercises range in complexity to suit all undergraduate levels.

You might also want to take a look at Rowland, S.M., Duebendorfer, E.M., and Schiefelbein, I.M. 2009. Structural analysis & synthesis: A laboratory course in structural geology (Third edition), Blackwell, 301 pp. This is a clearly written textbook that covers all aspects of the basics in structural geology. There are multiple practical exercises associated with each chapter, and the book contains an accompanying geological map of Middle Earth (Bree Creek Quadrangle) that forms a theme for the map-based problems throughout the book. However, I don’t recognise any part of New Zealand in the map J

Regards,

Nick

Dear Virginia,

I propose you the textbook: Powell, D. 1992. Interpretation of Geological Structures through Maps, Longman, Harlow, 176pp. It is very comprehensive.
However, the correct choice depends on what exactly you would like your students to deal with.

Best regards

Markos

_
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dr. Markos D. Tranos
Assistant Professor
Structural Geology-Neotectonics & Geological Mapping
Department of Geology
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
GR-54124 Thessaloniki
Hellas (Greece)
Office phone: +302310998830
email: [log in to unmask]

On 11-Jan-12 22:59, Virginia Toy wrote:

Hi all

Does anyone care to provide suggestions about good books of exercises I can suggest students seek out to practice structural geometric techniques - cross sections in particular?

Regards
Virginia
______________________________
Dr Virginia Toy
Geology Department
University of Otago
Leith Walk (courier) or PO Box 56 (postal)
Dunedin 9054
New Zealand
Ph: +64 3 479 7506 or +64 21 127 1012
Email: [log in to unmask]
http://www.otago.ac.nz/geology/people/toy/index.html