Sunday, June 23, 2019

The Ins And Outs Of A Geologic Map

By Betty Allen


When you are studying geology but are still learning some of the technical aspects of the field, a few things will help you make sense of it all. A solid geologic map, for example, will show you which rocks are visible in which locations within the United States and indeed the world. You can use these images for special projects that will uncover what happened in the past.

Maps that have been made by someone reputable will always have a color-coded key that will help you quickly and easily spot the geologic areas you want to work on. If you happen to be interested in Jurassic rock layers because you are working on a paper on a certain dinosaur, you can simply look for outcrops that are of the correct age.

Large maps are usually printed on paper that be rolled up and taken with you when you are on an expedition. Keep the paper casually rolled up and then use a rubber band to tie it off. When out in the wilderness, the rubber band can be taken off and the paper unsheathed and set up on a flat surface for everyone to examine. This should keep the material itself from tearing or degrading too fast.

You can order specialty maps online for the regions you'll be working in. Certain sites offer plenty of options, and you can expect your order to be shipped to your home within a week or so. It is sometimes better to order maps in bulk, as this way you'll get a better per unit price. This is how it usually occurs at colleges and universities.

Becoming familiar with some basic geologic concepts can help you reach your educational goals. Volcanoes, especially ones that spew beautiful lava into the air, are often in the news. When volcanoes erupt and lava flows out and eventually hardens, it can create unique rock formations that is recorded in the history of the Earth for geologists to discover and analyze.

Mountain building episodes are also fascinating and offer a way to learn about how the great ranges of the Earth came together. If you are going to be doing a bit of geologic work in the Appalachians, you'll want to learn about how stress and strain can create metamorphic rocks. Some minerals are often closely associated with certain kinds of mountain building events.

Any good geologist will delve deep into Earth's history to learn about how the planet actually formed. The commonly accepted theory is that the planets formed out of the collapse of the solar nebula, which occurred between four and five billion years ago. As the inner rocky planets gained mass, they fell into orbits around the sun, where they still exist today.

You will want to choose a good map by first looking over your options. As long as the colors are bright and stand out, you should be able to use it for lots of different projects. Take care of the paper itself so that it remains in good shape for several semesters so that the students can use it.




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