HOW TO MAKE A GEOLOGICAL REPORT?

What is a GEOLOGICAL REPORT?

Geological reports are concise, informative and well documented reports used to present, analyse and summarise field data for both industry and research purposes. They should be accompanied by geological maps, figures, stratigraphic columns, tables, graphs etc.

PREPARATION

First plan the layout, section by section; then draft each section using all your notes, maps, laboratory results and references gathered from other sources.

Then list the illustrations needed to support the text.

Finally, lay sections out in your choosen order, before gathering them together to edit them.

Does not spare the paper, allow plenty of room between the lines and at the margins for corrections, alterations and additions.

REVISION AND EDITING

First, a rough draft gets the essential facts and information in order. The next stage is to revise it and re-edit.

The order of some paragraphs may need changing, spelling mistakes corrected, grammar improved. Indicate where illustrations should be inserted. Now read it through as a whole and improve the English. Refer to dictionaries and check references.

LAYOUT

.Title Page

. List of Contents

. Abstract

. Introduction

. Main Body

. Conclusions

. References

. Appendices

.Title

This is an important part of the report. It shows what the report is about, who wrote it and when.

.Table of Contents

A list of Contents to show readers how the subject has been covered and to help to relocate information they may wish to refer to again.

.Abstract

The abstract (or summary) follows immediately after the title page. It must be as the report itself and concisely review the work done and it's results. Preferably, it should not exceed 200 words.

.Introduction

A report needs an introduction so that the readers know what it is about, what you did, why you did it, how you did it, when you did it and where you did it.

Include an index or map to show where the area is in relation to the region around it, and it's general geography, topography and communication, how to get there and the main place names. The introduction should also give a brief review of the vegetation, land use and economy of the region, emphasising aspects that are geologically related.

. MAIN BODY OF THE REPORT

The main body of such a report will consist of sections with headings similar to those shown below-

1. Regional Geology- In short reports, general geology of the area can be included in the introduction. In long reports, a separate section is needed, supported by text figures showing the bare outlines of the main geological units on a small-scale mai with place names.

2. Stratigraphy- This section describes the rocks in geological sequences, that is, the oldest rocks first. If the stratigraphy is complex, an introductory sub-section may be needed, with separate sections for each of the main formation groupings.

3. Structures- Regional structure has already been introduced under "Regional Geology". Now describe the more specific details of the area mapped based on field evidence.

4. Igneous Activity- Igneous activity covers a wide spectrum, from plutonism to vulcanism. It's treatment depends on the geology of the area under discussion.

5. Metamorphism- Evidence of metamorphism found in the area is of great importance in describing the geology of the area, such as boudins etc.

6. Sedimentary Structures- Sedimentary structures found are significant to the geology of the area, such as Cross beddings, planar lineations etc.

. Conclusions

The foregoing sections of the report are factual and depend on observation, supported by interpretation based on established geological processes. Now, however, results are brought together and conclusions down from them. Sometimes this section can be called Geological History, for that is often what it amounts to.

. References

Any reference you make in the text to work done by anyone else must be acknowledged, whether the information is From published work, an unpublished report, or merely by word of mouth. A reference is acknowledged in the text by the name of the author and the year in which it was published.

The use "et al." is made where a paper has more than two author's.

. Appendices

It includes long lists of analytical data, statistical information, sample localities, and graphs and curves used in standardising instruments.

It may ever include permissions and other letters.

Reference:

(1) https://bizfluent.com/how-6608646-write-geological-report.html

(2) BASIC GEOLOGICAL MAPPING by John W. Barnes with Richard J. Lisle

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