Map & Support Tools

In general, a map is an aggregate of elements having a common relationship in a distinct space or environment. The maps use coordinate systems to translate three-dimensional real surfaces into dimensional platforms. There are several types of maps such as climate maps, political maps, street maps, weather maps and geophysical maps just to name a few. These maps are tools to relate information, to transfer knowledge and to aid individuals in making executive decisions. Inaccurate and incomplete maps can hinder information, reduce the ability to communicate our ideas to others, and may cause great frustration. It is crucial and essential to geophysical interpreters to be able to read and identify maps. The maps are more beneficial if they include the following elements: the projection information, a title block and a legend (map key).

Learning Objectives

• Describe the most commonly used maps in geology and geophysics.
• Understand some basic principles of geodesy.
• Know the importance of the map title and legend

In this module we discuss the relative benefits of having an interpreter contour “by hand” vs. letting a computer control the contouring of random data points. The computer-contouring results are fast, but even if the grid spacing and gridding method selected are well-chosen, the resulting contours may depict false structures, gradients, and trends. Hand-contouring is most definitely slower, but results are as accurate as the data points allow and as geologically meaningful as the interpreter’s experienced eye permits.

Learning Objectives:

• Have a good understanding of the hand vs. computer-contouring mechanics
• Have a working knowledge why good contouring skills will result in the best interpreted basement map