The fair copy map should be submitted as a single entity and folded
to fit in the back pocket of the bound volume. It is permissible to remove
unused (i.e. unmapped) parts of the map. If you have used more than one
map sheet join separate parts of the fair copy map together with glue or
tape. Do not join your field-slips together in this way. If you
are unsure of how to join separate sheets take advice from your advisor,
mapping supervisor, or the cartographer. As far as possible the fair copy
map should resemble a professional geological map and should be capable
of being examined on its own. In other words;
If you do not have a standard topographic map on which to draw your fair copy make sure that you include a scale and geographical coordinates.
The Examiners are concerned that the final fair copy is prepared as
a conventional geological map. Therefore:
The same colour scheme should be used for the column section as that on the fair copy. Unconformable boundaries should be indicated by sinuous horizontal lines. The column section should be drawn sufficiently large to allow annotation to the right of the section summarising the lithological and palaeontological characters of each formation. Try to put as much as possible of this information on the column to avoid unnecessary description in the report, and so that the fair copy and column section are comprehensible and useful in their own right. To the left of the column you should give the names of each formation recognised and if possible the age range of each formation.
In certain terrains (for example, highly deformed and metamorphosed rocks), where no sedimentary succession nor original stratal thicknesses can be recognised, an alternative representation is required. This should take the form of a key to the map which should include the main lithologies recognised and their relative ages. As indicated above, this should be coloured in the same way as the fair copy map, and should be annotated with details of the lithologies and where appropriate the names given to separate formations.
Decide where you will draw your cross-sections before you leave your
field area, and prepare a detailed sketch section. This will give you the
opportunity to measure additional dips or boundary positions which you
may need to construct the final cross-section.
The report accompanying the map must not exceed 5000 words in length (5000 words corresponds to about 13 double spaced type-written pages of text). It should be carefully written and presented and must be type-written. Consult your advisor or field supervisor after you have produced a first draft of your report.
The purpose of the report is to summarise and describe the geological observations you have made in the field. Since there is a 5000 word limit it will not be possible to describe all the features that you have observed and therefore it is necessary to condense and summarise. Illustrate the text with diagrams, sketches and photographs which avoid and summarise unnecessary descriptions, and select information in order to give a comprehensible and reasonably objective account of the geology of your area.
In general, try to illustrate your report as fully as possible. This does not necessarily mean photographs. If photographs are used, an overlay drawn on transparent paper should be included to allow the reader to recognise the features shown. Photographs should be carefully chosen to illustrate specific points, not simply to make the report look pretty, but it is worth including at least one view of your area to give the examiners some idea of the nature of the terrain in which you were working. Redrawn field sketches, detailed sketch maps, rose diagrams, stereographic projections and summary diagrams will all improve your report. Remember to include scale and geographical coordinates where necessary and always label diagrams as clearly as possible. Good illustrations save words and are often more easily understood than long descriptions. Your aim is to be clear and concise. The report should be laid out in the following manner:
1. An introduction
An outline of the physiography, drainage and location of the mapped
area. The introduction should include a brief account of the geological
context of the area mapped. The report is not intended to give a review
of the history of geological research in the area and reference to previous
work should be kept to the minimum necessary.
2. An account of the stratigraphy of the area mapped
The stratigraphy should include a brief description of the chief features
of each mapped formation and the nature of the boundaries between each
unit. Petrological, palaeontological and other lithological features should
be described here. Correlations with any previously established stratigraphy
should be noted. Interpretations, such as, palaeoenvironment or age, should
be included here. Ensure that you separate clearly your own observations
and conclusions from information derived from the literature.
3. Igneous Intrusions. (if present) These should be discussed seperately from the main stratigraphy, but using the same descriptive criteria as noted above. Be sure to discuss the cross cutting relationships which gives you evidence of the age of the intrusion.
4. An account of the structure of the area mapped
This section should give an account of the form of folds and faults
in the area mapped. Diagrams are usually important and helpful here, and
make the task of description easier. In many areas, plots of structural
data are useful. An attempt should be made to determine the sequence of
structural events that have affected the area.
5. Other sections
These may be included to give a complete account of the area mapped,
such as economic geology, glacial features, etc. They should normally be
brief.
6. Conclusions
Your conclusions should summarise the geological history of the area
mapped, as described and illustrated more completely in the earlier sections
of the report, on the map, column sections and cross-sections. Any difficulties
encountered in making your map, alternative interpretations and the reasons
for choosing between them, should be discussed here.
7. Bibliography
A list of references used in the report should be included in a standard
format, such as that used by the Geological Society (see below). The report
is not intended to be a literature review so there will normally
be only a few references.
References in the text to papers with a single author should be cited as "the work of Baker (1971) shows that ..." or " recent surveys (Baker, 1971) show that ..." But should be cited in the bibliography as below;
Baker, J. W. 1971, The Proterozoic history of southern Britain. Proceedings of the Geologist's Association, 82, 249-266.
References in the text to papers with two authors should be cited as
" Glover & Robertson (1998) show that ..." or "these results are supported
by other workers (Glover & Robertson, 1998)".
References in the text to papers with more than two authors
should be made thus: (McIroy et al. 1998), but cited in full in
the bibliography, i.e.
McIlroy, D., Brasier, M. D. & Moseley, J. M. 1998, The Proterozoic-Cambrian transition within the 'Charnian Supergroup' of central England and the antiquity of the Ediacara fauna. Journal of the Geological Society of London, 155, 401-412.
The above examples are standard reference format for Journal articles. It is good form to cite journal titles in full, i.e. Journal of the Geological Society of London instead of Jour. Geol. Soc. Lond.
If you are referring to a book, this is the standard format;
Press, F. & Siever, R., 1986, Earth; 4th Edition., Freeman and Co. New York.
If you are referring to a book with separate authors for each chapter, edited by another person(s), this is the standard format;
Sparks, S. J., 1992, Chapter 5: Magma generation in the Earth. In: Brown, G. C., Hawkesworth, C. J. & Wilson, R. C. L. (eds) Understanding the Earth: A New Synthesis. Cambridge University Press. 91-114.