Plotting structural geology data in ArcGIS

Posted on April 24, 2015 by Luke

Update: I suggest using ArcGIS Pro instead of ArcMap – if you need help with this let me know.

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This tutorial covers plotting structural geology data in ArcGIS. In this tutorial I am going to use the example of plotting foliation data, but this is applicable to any data where a rotated symbol is required.

Where to get the files

• plotting-structural-geology-data-files.zip

Plotting structural geology data in ArcGIS Screencast

This video covers preparing the data in Excel.

httpv://youtu.be/5BC0sC76ROo

This video covers plotting the structural geology data in ArcGIS

httpv://youtu.be/eiOToVM8gfI

Plotting structural geology data in ArcGIS Text instructions

1.1      Getting the data ready

1. To plot foliation data we need a spreadsheet with the locations (easting and northing) and the orientation measurements.
2. If you have entered your Strike/Dip and dip direction in a single column you can use Mid, Left and right operations to separate out your data fields.
3. Convert “foliation-wt-s-dip” to dip azimuth/dip format.
   • If you have used strike/dip/ dip direction you need to change it to Dip Azimuth/Dip.
   • The dip azimuth is the direction that the tick on a foliation symbol points. E.g. if you have measured 030/45SE that would be 120/45 in dip azimuth/dip system.
   • The easiest way to convert is to create three columns that add 90, subtract 90 or add 270 (alternatively you can do a modulo 360 operation, so that you only need to use two columns) to your strike measurement.
   • Create a field for dip azimuth and pick the correct column based on the dip direction. Delete unneeded columns when you are done.
4. Create a shapefile from your table of foliation data by referring to these instructions:
   Adding XY data to ArcGIS
   • In brief: Save as CSV. Open “plot-structure-data.mxd”. Right click on CSV in arcCatalog sidebar. Create feature class from XY table. Set fields and coordinate system. Save as shapefile.
5. Check “plot-structure-data.mxd” to see that all data is available and plotting in the correct location (check attribute table and map). See Adding XY data to ArcGIS if there are any issues.

1.2      Changing and rotating the symbol.

1. The first thing we want to do is change symbol to foliation. There are foliation symbols built in to ArcGIS. There is also a custom font in your tutorial files called “OUGeology1.ttf “This was created using fontstruct (ougeology1 font on Fonstruct ). You can install this font by double clicking on it then selecting install.
2. Open the symbol selector for your foliation points by double clicking on the symbol in Table of contents.
3. EITHER use a built in foliation symbol by searching for foliation in the symbol selector ( Within the Symbol Property Editor window ensure that tick is point upwards by adjusting the angle field.)
   
4. OR use the one supplied in the custom font by clicking on Edit Symbol in the Symbol Selector In the Symbol Property Editor:
   1. Choose Character marker symbol
   2. Choose OUGeology1 font
   3. Choose foliation symbol
   4. Adjust offset to centre symbol

5. Click OK and go to save as to store this symbol as foliation for future use
   
6. Go to layer properties>symbology>advanced
7. Select rotation and choose dip Azimuth
8. Ensure that rotation style is set to Geographic
   

1.3   Labelling

Probably most problematic aspect of using this software is labelling.

1. First we need to enable the maplex labelling engine Which gives us access to advanced labelling features.
   1. Go to customize>toolbars>Labelling
   2. Click on labelling and choose use Maplex Labelling engine
      
2. Now go to layer Properties Labels tab.
3. Check Label Features in this layer
4. Label features with dip
5. Click Apply and note the problem with position of labels. We want them to be at the tip of the symbol
6. Click on Placement properties.
7. Choose Rotate by attribute, select Options.
8. In label rotation. Choose Dip_azimuth as the rotation field, Choose geographic and choose Horizontral alignment. Click OK.
   
9. The last thing we need to do is adjust the offset. Go to label offset and choose 2 points if from exact feature outline or 6 points from feature geometry. Or whatever you want it to be.

1.3 Representative measurements.

Sometimes we have too many measurements for a particular map at a particular scale. What we want to do instead is take some representative measurements. I will be writing a follow up post on this soon. Which looks at the way you can do this.

This entry was posted in GIS and tagged ArcGIS, coordinate systems, foliation, Geology, GIS, Illustration, publication, spatial, spatial data, structural geology by Luke. Bookmark the permalink.