GIS as an aid to visualizing and mapping geology and rock properties in regions of subtle topography

Abstract

Research Article| January 01, 2005 GIS as an aid to visualizing and mapping geology and rock properties in regions of subtle topography Kevin Belt; Kevin Belt 1Environmental Science Graduate Program, 003 Life Science East, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma 74078, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Stanley T. Paxton Stanley T. Paxton 2School of Geology, 105 Noble Research Center, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma 74078, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Kevin Belt 1Environmental Science Graduate Program, 003 Life Science East, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma 74078, USA Stanley T. Paxton 2School of Geology, 105 Noble Research Center, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma 74078, USA Publisher: Geological Society of America Received: 30 Jun 2003 Revision Received: 21 Feb 2004 Accepted: 22 Mar 2004 First Online: 02 Mar 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2674 Print ISSN: 0016-7606 Geological Society of America GSA Bulletin (2005) 117 (1-2): 149–160. https://doi.org/10.1130/B25463.1 Article history Received: 30 Jun 2003 Revision Received: 21 Feb 2004 Accepted: 22 Mar 2004 First Online: 02 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Kevin Belt, Stanley T. Paxton; GIS as an aid to visualizing and mapping geology and rock properties in regions of subtle topography. GSA Bulletin 2005;; 117 (1-2): 149–160. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/B25463.1 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGSA Bulletin Search Advanced Search Abstract This study visualizes, quantifies, and evaluates relationships between bedrock geology and topography through the use of GIS. The study area contains weakly consolidated Permian-aged sandstone and shale of slightly differing ages that have been dissected by the regional drainage. The erosion of these rocks has produced a subtle but well-defined topography. Data for this work were obtained from a 30 m resolution digital elevation model (DEM) and the bedrock geology map of Oklahoma. Numeric values of local slope angle and relief were extracted from the DEM and associations with geologic formations were summarized and compared. The maps reveal that local topographic variations are dependent on the relative abundance of sand to shale in the underlying bedrock. This finding is significant because the topographic expression is so subtle that associations between topography and bedrock geology would not be easily recognized or quantified with conventional field techniques. To identify controls on topography, sandstone thicknesses were measured in outcrop and the bulk density of field samples was measured in the laboratory. We find that sandstone thickness is greater in areas of higher local relief and thinner in areas of lower relief. In contrast, bulk density, used as a proxy for susceptibility to erosion, is not significantly different between areas. These findings suggest that presence and thickness of sandstone, even if weakly consolidated, plays a role in determining topographic expression of bedrock. This GIS-based technique, when constrained by geology, can enhance the quality of multiuse mapping programs in the geosciences, agriculture, and civil engineering. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.