geological structure
dip of rocks/faults. Heavily fractured/jointed rocks more prone to weathering processes.
Geological structure refers to the arrangement of rocks and minerals in the Earth’s crust. It provides information on how rocks have been formed, folded or fractured over time. Geological structures can be classified into two categories: primary and secondary structures.
Primary structures are formed during the initial deposition and solidification of rock layers. These structures include bedding planes, cross bedding, ripple marks, and graded bedding. They provide information on the environment in which the rocks were formed and the sedimentary processes involved in their formation.
Secondary structures, on the other hand, are formed after the deposition of primary structures. These include faults, joints, folds, and foliation. They result from various physical forces acting on the rocks, such as compression, tension, and shearing forces. They can also provide information on the tectonic history of a region, such as the direction and intensity of the forces that caused the structures to form.
Geological structures are important because they allow geologists to interpret the history of a rock unit, understand the geological processes that formed it, and predict the location and characteristics of natural resources such as oil, gas, and coal. For example, the presence of faults can indicate the likelihood of earthquakes, while the orientation and intensity of folds can impact the flow of fluids through rocks.