About the Book
If you want to be able to say that you know how to create a geological map from field work and if you would like to say that you can read and interpret a geological map, then all you have to do is read this book from beginning to end and then put it on your bookshelf where you can find it easily. That's all.
Many books on the subject of field mapping are simply too out of date to be useful. The classic books that can still be purchased second-hand from eBay were written more than half a century ago. Consequently, there is no mention within them of such things as digital cameras, GPS positioning systems, current map types, or any other modern matter. Actually, when you read them, you find that they are not really concentrating on the subject of mapping, but more on how to identify minerals and fossils in the field as a geologist needs to do. But that means that very few pages in those old books are actually dedicated to the subject of field mapping.
This book, is different. Written by Encyclopedia Geotechnica, it is up-to-date, describing the use of modern equipment and modern methods where relevant. It also describes how simple the process can be so that it can be used by amateurs of any age and young people who are about to start out on a university course studying geology for several years.
If you are either of these two categories of reader, you will be pleased to learn that this book is dedicated only to geological field mapping and takes you from 'step one' to a competent level in the creation of field maps. Most importantly, it is written in a friendly and personal style, with diagrams drawn by and photographs taken by the publishers rather than being taken from other sources.
This book achieves its aim by assiduously following the circular tenet that you cannot create a geological map until you can read a geological map and you cannot read a geological map until you can create a geological map in the field. This sounds contradictory, but we learned long ago that it means any successful book on this subject has to teach both aspects at the same time—map reading and field mapping. That's precisely what this book does; and much more.
We are confident you will find this to be the most informally comprehensive book currently available on the subject. Yet it was not created for experienced professionals, but for any beginner or young geologist who will, incidentally, learn quite a lot about the general subject of geology while studying it.
CONTENTS
1. Introduction
2. Why do we need to do geological field mapping?
3. How do we go about doing geological field mapping?
3.1 Overview
3.2 Practical advice
3.3 Equipment
3.4 Ordnance Survey contour maps
3.5 Scale of maps
3.6 The old County Series of maps
3.7 The current National Grid series of maps
4. How to understand and create geological maps
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Nationally available geological maps
4.3 Preparing your own geological maps
5. Structure of the planet Earth and its various rock types for mapping
6. Fundamental rock types
6.1 Igneous intrusive rocks
6.2 Igneous extrusive rocks
6.3 Sedimentary rocks
6.4 Metamorphic rocks
7. Mapping igneous rocks
7.1 Plutonic rocks
7.2 Concordant minor intrusive rocks
7.3 Discordant minor intrusive rocks
7.4 Extrusive volcanic lava flows and ash rocks
8. Mapping sedimentary rocks
8.1 General considerations
8.2 Weathering
8.3 Modes of sedimentary strata failure
9. Mapping metamorphic rocks
9.1 Some relevant metamorphic rocks
9.2 Metamorphic processes
9.3 Rock recognition and appearances resulting from metamorphism
9.4 Rock identification in relation to minor intrusion metamorphisms
9.5 Rock instability in relation to major intrusion metamorphism
9.6 Further mapping implications
10. Dip and outcrop recognition
10.1 Field recognition
10.2 The concept of strike lines
10.3 Some simple strike lines to show the principles
10.4 Developing strike line maps from field outcrops
10.5 Developing our numerical use of strike lines
10.6 General outcrop patterns
11. The recording and analysis of dip data using stereographic projections
11.1 What are stereonets?
11.2 The representation of field data on stereonet plots
12. References
13. Bibliography
14. Geology Glossary
15. Appendix - The use of the camera and mobile telephone for site surveying
15.1 Use a digital camera or phone to create site records
15.2 Use a digital camera or phone to create site plans
Would you like to have all the knowledge that is in these 22 diagrams and photos, as well as in the other 162 diagrams and illustrations in this book?
If so, just buy it!
The Essential Elements of Geological Field Mapping
SEE IF YOU LIKE IT BEFORE YOU BUY.
THESE ARE SOME OF THE 184 FIGURES AND COLOURED PHOTOGRAPHS FROM THE BOOK
WHEN YOU BUY A TECHNICAL BOOK, YOU NEED TO KNOW EXACTLY WHAT IS IN IT AND WHAT YOU ARE BUYING.
SO, SCROLL DOWN AND READ ON:
Published by Encyclopedia Geotechnica 2026.
355 US-letter-sized pages.
The overall purposes of this book are twofold:
Firstly, to provide the reader with the real, practical, information, techniques,
and understanding to read and create geological field maps, and later, to create finished maps in the office.
Secondly, to understand the mapping system of the U.K. Geological Survey, and how to find their maps.
We saw the need for this book in the marketplace and produced it so that you might benefit.
We wish you much fun and enjoyment in your mapping, whether amateur or professional. Good luck!
The Essential Elements of Geological Field Mapping
For amateur, Undergraduate, and Professional U.K. Geologists.
This modern book is written for amateur geologists, undergraduates at British universities, and young graduates starting out in the first few years of their careers. Of course, there may be experienced geologists who may feel rusty or may never have quite gotten to grips with the complexities of U.K. maps. This book will appeal to British geotechnical engineers who may well have found their courses concentrated mainly on soil or rock mechanics, while not touching on the need for field mapping—to say nothing of mineral exploration and quarrying engineers.
It contains a comprehensive guide to the complex organisation of the U.K. National Grid and British Geological Survey mapping systems, as approached through their long and complex history. Industrial desk studies will inevitably involve the location and examination of old maps created in archaic systems in Imperial units and at strange scales. All of these are explained in detail in this invaluable book.
Although capable of being used anywhere in the world, this book has been written primarily for use in the United Kingdom.
It covers everything needed, from things you need to buy, to what you need to wear, and how you actually go about doing your mapping. There is arguably no equally comprehensive, practical, or useful book available elsewhere.
Prestige Edition - Hardback with coloured photographs.
£42.09
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