ABSTRACT

Geologists must be able to “read” a geological map. That means interpreting the vertical dimension through the 2D view represented on the map and at different scales. The main objective of this book is to help students during this difficult learning process. Based on an abundant iconography (field photos, maps, cross-sections) and on basics in mathematics and mechanics, the book dissects the geometry of emblematic geological structures and objects in order to build 3 D models, printable in 3D. The book is dedicated to structural geology with a particular emphasis on kinematics of faulting and folding and on salt tectonics (chapters III, IV and V). The origin of continental great unconformities and oceanic break-up unconformities is also discussed (chapter II).
The audience of the book is broad and includes (under)graduate students in Earth Sciences, professors of Natural Sciences, and professional or amateur geologists.

chapter Chapter 1|11 pages

Geology, a story of layers

chapter Chapter 2|20 pages

When strata cross and overlie each other

The concept of unconformity

chapter Chapter 3|22 pages

When strata fracture

Faults

chapter Chapter 4|19 pages

When strata fold without breaking too much

Detachment folds

chapter Chapter 5|25 pages

When folds and faults interact

Fault-related folds and fold-and-thrust belts

chapter Chapter 6|12 pages

When the salt plays the major role

The effects of salt activity and the concept of salt tectonics