Manual of Field Geology

Abstract

This document is prepared as a guideline for the writing of the Basic Geological Report which will be conducted by the students of Bachelor of Applied Science (Geoscience) in Semester 4. It is meant to be kept incamp with you and even carried in the field. In addition, because no piece of geological mapping can be considered complete until the geology has been interpreted and explained. A report explaining the geology is an essential part of any field project and a brief chapter on the essentials for writing and illustrating it concludes this book. Some emphasis, too, is given to paleontological reference because many reports lack of those detailed which can often explain complex aspects of the geology that cannot be shown on the scale of the field map being used, and which are difficult to describe in words. It is assumed that readers of this book have already had at least one year of university or equivalent geology, and have already been told what to look for in the field. Geological mapping cannot, however, be taught in lectures and the laboratory: it must be learnt in the field. Unfortunately, only too often, trainee geologists are left largely to their own devices, to sink or swim, and to learn to map for themselves with a minimum of supervision on independent mapping projects. It is hoped that this book will help them in that task.