Mapping the Geology

As part of this week's field trip, it is always a great idea to get down to basics and do some mapping. Our leader lead us through some stream sections across a hillside where we noted and mapped the lithology. The process involves distinguishing rock beds and dip and strike for every little exposure, of which there are not many, on a grassy green hillside in the West Highlands. Then we could sketch them up on a plan afterwards and compare the result to the official geological map, which bore a striking resemblance, albeit in pretty colours. It does give you a true appreciation of the laborious process that was completed for these maps and also an awareness of how much of it is guesswork to fill in the gaps.