Dip and Strike Part 2

1.
3 Dip and strike

The terms dip and strike apply to any structural plane and together constitute a statement
of its attitude. The planar structure most frequently encountered is the bedding plane.
Others include cleavage, schistosity, foliation and fractures including joints and faults.
For inclined planes there are special dip and strike map symbols; in general each has
three parts. The only exception is the special case of a horizontal plane which requires a
special symbol.
1. A strike line plotted long enough so that its trend can be accurately measured on the
map.
2. Ashort dip mark at the midpoint of one side of the strike line to indicate the direction
of downward inclination of the plane.
3. A dip angle written near the dip mark and on the same side of the strike line.
The most common symbols are shown in Fig. 1.2 and their usage is fairly well established
by convention. However, it is sometimes necessary to use these or other symbols
in special circumstances, so that the exact meaning of all symbols must be explained in
the map legend.
Attitude angles are also often referred to in text, although the usage is considerably
less standard. There are two basic approaches. One involves the trend of the strike of the
plane and the other the trend of the dip direction. Each of the four following forms refers
to exactly the same attitude (for other examples see Fig. 1.3).
1. Strike notation
(a) N 65 W, 25 S: the bearing of the strike direction is 65◦ west of north and the dip
is 25◦ in a southerly direction. For a given strike, there are only two possible dip
directions, one on each side of the strike line, hence it is necessary only to identify
which side by one or two letters. If the strike direction is nearly N-S or E-W then
a single letter is appropriate; if the strike direction is close to the 45◦ directions
(NE or NW) then two letters are preferred (see Fig. 1.3 for examples).
(b) 295, 25 S: the azimuth of the strike direction is 295◦ measured clockwise from
north and the dip is 25◦ in a southerly direction. Usually the trend of the north ernmost end of the
strike line is given, but the azimuth of the opposite end of the line may also be used, as in 115, 25
S.
2. Dip notation
(a) 25, S 25 W: the dip is 25◦ and the trend of the dip direction has a bearing of 25◦
west of south.
(b) 25/205: the dip is 25◦ and the trend of the dip direction has an azimuth of 205◦ measured
clockwise from north. The order of the two angles is sometimes reversed,
as in 205/25. To avoid confusion, dip angles should always be given with two
digits and the trend with three, even if this requires leading zeros.
As these dip and trend angles are written here, the degree symbol is not included and this
Is a common practice. However, this is entirely a matter of individual preference and taste.
The two forms of the strike notation are the most common, with the difference usually
depending on whether the compass used to make the measurements is divided into
quadrants or a full 360◦ and on personal preference. The advantage of the quadrant
method of presentation is that most people find it easier to grasp a mental image of a
trend more quickly with it.
The forms of the dip notation are more generally reserved for the inclination and trend
of lines rather than planes, although when the line marks the direction of true dip, it may
apply to both. The last method gives the attitude unambiguously without the need for
letters and, therefore, is particularly useful for the computerized treatment of orientation data.
For this reason it is becoming increasingly common to see the attitudes of planes
written in this way.
It is essential to learn to read all these shorthand forms with confidence and to this end
we will use them in examples and problems. However, they are not always the best way
of recording attitude data in the field. It is a common mistake to read or record the wrong
cardinal direction, especially for beginners. For example, it is easy to write E when W
was intended for a strike or dip direction.

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3 Dip and strike

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