Editing Structural geology (section)

==Methods==

Structural geologists use a variety of methods to (first) measure rock geometries, (second) reconstruct their deformational histories, and (third) estimate the stress field that resulted in that deformation.

===Geometries===

Primary data sets for structural geology are collected in the field. Structural geologists measure a variety of planar features ([[Bed (geology)|bedding planes]], [[Foliation (geology)|foliation planes]], fold axial planes, [[fault (geology)|fault planes]], and joints), and [[Lineation (geology)|linear features]] (stretching lineations, in which minerals are ductilely extended; fold axes; and intersection lineations, the trace of a planar feature on another planar surface).

[[image:StrikeDipPlungeRake.png|thumb|upright=1.3|Illustration of measurement conventions for planar and linear structures]]

====Measurement conventions====
The inclination of a planar structure in geology is measured by ''[[strike and dip]]''. The strike is the line of intersection between the planar feature and a horizontal plane, taken according to the right hand convention, and the dip is the magnitude of the inclination, below horizontal, at right angles to strike. For example; striking 25 degrees East of North, dipping 45 degrees Southeast, recorded as N25E,45SE. <br>
Alternatively, dip and dip direction may be used as this is absolute. Dip direction is measured in 360 degrees, generally clockwise from North. For example, a dip of 45 degrees towards 115 degrees azimuth, recorded as 45/115. Note that this is the same as above.

The term ''hade'' is occasionally used and is the deviation of a plane from vertical i.e. (90°-dip).

Fold axis plunge is measured in dip and dip direction (strictly, plunge and azimuth of plunge). The orientation of a fold axial plane is measured in strike and dip or dip and dip direction.

[[Lineation (geology)|Lineations]] are measured in terms of dip and dip direction, if possible. Often lineations occur expressed on a planar surface and can be difficult to measure directly. In this case, the lineation may be measured from the horizontal as a ''rake'' or ''pitch'' upon the surface.

Rake is measured by placing a protractor flat on the planar surface, with the flat edge horizontal and measuring the angle of the lineation clockwise from horizontal. The orientation of the lineation can then be calculated from the rake and strike-dip information of the plane it was measured from, using a [[stereographic projection]].

If a fault has lineations formed by movement on the plane, e.g.; [[slickenside]]s, this is recorded as a lineation, with a rake, and annotated as to the indication of throw on the fault.

Generally it is easier to record strike and dip information of planar structures in dip/dip direction format as this will match all the other structural information you may be recording about folds, lineations, etc., although there is an advantage to using different formats that discriminate between planar and linear data.

==== Plane, fabric, fold and deformation conventions ====
The convention for analysing structural geology is to identify the '''planar structures''', often called ''planar fabrics'' because this implies a [[rock microstructure|textural]] formation, the '''linear structures''' and, from analysis of these, unravel '''deformations'''.

Planar structures are named according to their order of formation, with original sedimentary layering the lowest at S0. Often it is impossible to identify S0 in highly deformed rocks, so numbering may be started at an arbitrary number or given a letter (S<sub>A</sub>, for instance). In cases where there is a [[bedding-plane]] foliation caused by burial metamorphism or [[diagenesis]] this may be enumerated as S0a.

If there are folds, these are numbered as F<sub>1</sub>, F<sub>2</sub>, etc. Generally the axial plane foliation or [[Cleavage (geology)|cleavage]] of a fold is created during folding, and the number convention should match. For example, an F<sub>2</sub> fold should have an S<sub>2</sub> axial foliation.

Deformations are numbered according to their order of formation with the letter D denoting a deformation event. For example, D<sub>1</sub>, D<sub>2</sub>, D<sub>3</sub>. Folds and foliations, because they are formed by deformation events, should correlate with these events. For example, an F<sub>2</sub> fold, with an S<sub>2</sub> axial plane foliation would be the result of a D<sub>2</sub> deformation.

Metamorphic events may span multiple deformations. Sometimes it is useful to identify them similarly to the structural features for which they are responsible, e.g.; M<sub>2</sub>. This may be possible by observing [[porphyroblast]] formation in cleavages of known deformation age, by identifying metamorphic mineral assemblages created by different events, or via [[geochronology]].

Intersection lineations in rocks, as they are the product of the intersection of two planar structures, are named according to the two planar structures from which they are formed. For instance, the intersection lineation of a S<sub>1</sub> cleavage and bedding is the L<sub>1-0</sub> intersection lineation (also known as the cleavage-bedding lineation).

Stretching lineations may be difficult to quantify, especially in highly stretched ductile rocks where minimal foliation information is preserved. Where possible, when correlated with deformations (as few are formed in folds, and many are not strictly associated with planar foliations), they may be identified similar to planar surfaces and folds, e.g.; L<sub>1</sub>, L<sub>2</sub>. For convenience some geologists prefer to annotate them with a subscript S, for example L<sub>s1</sub> to differentiate them from intersection lineations, though this is generally redundant.

==== Stereographic projections ====

[[File:Stero projection structural geology.png|thumb|upright=1.6|Diagram showing the use of lower hemisphere [[stereographic projection]] in structural geology using an example of a [[Fault (geology)|fault]] plane and a [[slickenside]] [[lineation (geology)|lineation]] observed within the fault plane.]]

[[Stereographic projection#Geology|Stereographic projection]] is a method for analyzing the nature and orientation of deformation stresses, lithological units and penetrative fabrics wherein linear and planar features (structural strike and dip readings, typically taken using a [[Inclinometer|compass clinometer]]) passing through an imagined sphere are plotted on a two-dimensional grid projection, facilitating more holistic analysis of a set of measurements. Stereonet<ref>{{Cite web |title=Stereonet |url=https://www.rickallmendinger.net/stereonet |access-date=2022-12-23 |website=Rick Allmendinger's Stuff |language=en-US}}</ref> developed by [[Richard W. Allmendinger]] is widely used in the structural geology community.

====Rock macro-structures====
On a large scale, structural geology is the study of the three-dimensional interaction and relationships of stratigraphic units within [[terrane]]s of rock or geological regions.

This branch of structural geology deals mainly with the orientation, deformation and relationships of stratigraphy (bedding), which may have been faulted, folded or given a foliation by some tectonic event. This is mainly a geometric science, from which ''[[Cross section (geology)|cross sections]]'' and three-dimensional ''block models'' of rocks, regions, terranes and parts of the Earth's crust can be generated.

Study of regional structure is important in understanding [[orogeny]], [[plate tectonics]] and more specifically in the oil, [[Natural gas|gas]] and [[mineral]] exploration industries as structures such as faults, folds and [[unconformity|unconformities]] are primary controls on ore mineralisation and oil traps.

Modern regional structure is being investigated using [[seismic tomography]] and [[seismic]] reflection in three dimensions, providing unrivaled images of the Earth's interior, its faults and the deep crust. Further information from [[geophysics]] such as [[gravity]] and airborne magnetics can provide information on the nature of rocks imaged to be in the deep crust.

====Rock microstructures====
{{main|rock microstructure}}
Rock microstructure or ''texture'' of rocks is studied by structural geologists on a small scale to provide detailed information mainly about [[metamorphic rocks]] and some features of [[sedimentary rocks]], most often if they have been folded. <br>
Textural study involves measurement and characterisation of [[foliation (geology)|foliations]], [[crenulation]]s, metamorphic minerals, and timing relationships between these structural features and mineralogical features. <br>
Usually this involves collection of hand specimens, which may be cut to provide [[petrography|petrographic]] thin sections which are analysed under a [[petrographic microscope]].  <br>
Microstructural analysis finds application also in multi-scale statistical analysis, aimed to analyze some rock features showing scale invariance.<ref>{{Cite journal
      | author = V. Guerriero| year = 2011
      | title = Improved statistical multi-scale analysis of fractures in carbonate reservoir analogues
      | journal = [[Tectonophysics (journal)|Tectonophysics]]
      | publisher = [[Elsevier]]
      | volume = 504
      | issue = 1
 | pages = 14&ndash;24
      | doi=10.1016/j.tecto.2011.01.003
  |bibcode = 2011Tectp.504...14G |display-authors=etal}}
{{Cite journal
      | author = V. Guerriero| year = 2009
      | title = Quantifying uncertainties in multi-scale studies of fractured reservoir analogues: Implemented statistical analysis of scan line data from carbonate rocks
      | journal = [[Journal of Structural Geology]]
      | publisher = [[Elsevier]]
      | volume = 32
      | issue = 9
      | pages = 1271&ndash;1278
      | doi=10.1016/j.jsg.2009.04.016
  |bibcode = 2010JSG....32.1271G |display-authors=etal}}</ref>

===Kinematics===
Geologists use rock geometry measurements to understand the history of strain in rocks. Strain can take the form of brittle faulting and ductile folding and shearing. Brittle deformation takes place in the shallow crust, and ductile deformation takes place in the deeper crust, where temperatures and pressures are higher.

===Stress fields===
By understanding the constitutive relationships between stress and strain in rocks, geologists can translate the observed patterns of rock deformation into a stress field during the geologic past. The following list of features are typically used to determine stress fields from deformational structures.
*In perfectly brittle rocks, faulting occurs at 30° to the greatest compressional stress according to Byerlee's Law.
*The greatest compressive stress is normal to fold axial planes.

=== Modeling ===
For economic geology such as petroleum and mineral development, as well as research, modeling of structural geology is becoming increasingly important. 2D and 3D models of structural systems such as anticlines, synclines, fold and thrust belts, and other features can help better understand the evolution of a structure through time. Without modeling or interpretation of the subsurface, geologists are limited to their knowledge of the surface geological mapping. If only reliant on the surface geology, major economic potential could be missed by overlooking the structural and tectonic history of the area.