Describing Surface Orientation

Dip direction and Strike.

Strike
: the intersection of a tilted bedding plane with a horizontal plane. It gives the trend of that plane. Represented on a map by a long line (forming the long top of a “T” symbol representing dip and strike).

Dip direction: points in the direction that the plane is dipping – it is always perpendicular to strike and forms the short tail of the “T” symbol representing dip and strike.  The angle of dip is written at the end of the dip symbol.

How does a geologist measure dip and strike (Fig. 14.3b)?