Field Studies and Manual Survey Techniques
Field Book Example
Example field notes including:
Ditch
Bund
Date: June 5, 1980
Locale: Jesus Montana field
Talker again with Jesus who planted in belle mange or frijole, but the one irrigated by diversion off in July.
Erosion due to shallow water table according to master mlp he trash in current till there has been very little runoff. Accordingly, there is current contrast in irrigated place.
The information from better burned near.
repair linear rocks
abandoned fields
Agro-Ecological Survey Example
Date: 7/4/81
Recorder: Doolittle/McCary
Longitude: 110° 09' 40" W
Latitude: 29° 43' 45" N
User: Jesus Montana / Now Tanali
Locale: Arroyo Rancho / Baviscora
Temporal No. A12-72
Features:
Fence (4 wire, old): 537m, 10 posts/14 meters
Weir: 18 meter, medium construction, 12 "y" branches each supporting 4-5 branches. Anchored with large rocks and sand bags, COLD!
Canal: 15m x-sec. Weir "A", 102m x-sec weir "B", 80m to x-sec. 211.47m
Ditches: 120m hoed-ditch 37.5m
Bunds: 150m long (see x-section)
Water Spreader: None
Terraces: None
Leveling: None
Cultivated Area: 1.85 ha
Description:
Field is newer than T3 by fence-corner evidence.
At one time this temporal was much larger than present.
The lower 2/3 have been brought under well-irrigation, leaving only this field as temporal.
Other fields designated "I"
Sketch maps and X-section on reverse side.
Location Sample Data Collection Example
Date: 8-8-2012
Location: Lower Torrey Cr near Glacier Traily Dubois, WY
Weather: Sunny, ≈ 60°F
Personnel: G. Vandel, J. Vandeberg, J. Van Looy, Lunke DiAngels, Nancy Lis, Larry Anuipero, Nana Owusu-amponsah
Purpose: collect stream Sample + discharge - PH, oz, Temps condi
Testers: Petst135, Extech Exstik Do. -wall tal PH mater to 7.004.01. Initial verification 6.94
Sample: TCR-2-8-8-2010 Loc
PH: 6.96 EC: 16.8 Te: 14.5 Do: 9.27 (o/cm) (°C) (mg/L)
Demonstration Activity Example
Date: 13 October 2000
Location: Geography Parking Lot
Weather: Cool, calm, PC
Personnel: W. Doolittle P.C.
Class: 373F Class X
Datum: Andrews Dorm
Total Station Feature
Table with Dist.(m), Dir/Az, X, Y, Z values
Soil Profile Example
Location: SP 2'
Date: 6/15/17
Project / Client
Profile is very similar to SP1 aside from more well developed (much richer redder) B-horizon
Rough description of horizons:
A: 0-30 sandy silt
B: 30-70 depleted brown
C: 70-190 (bottom)
chert lithic layer fr 60-70cm about 50cm in length
mag susc.
B hor 50.55
Cherx 60-70
Location SP2+ layering system A
Project/Client Scale
His slightly down
N17 -06100LM 181907136.1 49 SP2 N17 9060051 W89 907 36291
(HOH "sampled 1+2 are") Op 391
A-SL quarry pit (TRN)
B-SL quarry pit (HOH 3)
C-SL quarry pit (HOHY)
D-SL (RIVTRNI)
E-SU (SP)
F-SL (SP2)
BVC (BVT2ND)
H-BVC (BVTRN 2)
Islava my pit (HOH2)
J-St quarry pit (Ho Conserverion)
Precision and Accuracy
Diagram illustrating the difference between precise but inaccurate, accurate but imprecise, inaccurate and imprecise, and accurate and precise results.
Precision and Significant Places of Numbers
1 significant figure: 1 or 1,000 (+/-10%)
2 significant figures: 1.2 or 1,200 (+/-1%)
3 significant figures: 1.23 or 1,230 (+/-0.1%)
4 significant figures: 1.234 or 1,234
5 significant figures: 1.2345 or 1,234.5
Number of significant figures is an indicator of the precision.
Example: If you say a city has a population of 43,582, you are implying that it is not 43,583 or 43,581. The precision is probably +/- 1% at best, so you should say it has a population of 43,600 or 44,000. You could say the 1990 census was 43,581 (cite your source!).
Errors in Survey Measurement
All measurements have some degree of error.
(a) Random errors
Due to limitations or imperfections in the instrument used
Lack of skill in determining values with instruments
Tend to cancel with repeated measurements
(b) Systematic errors
Sometimes called cumulative errors, systematic errors occur in the same direction, thereby tending to accumulate
Example: A tape of incorrect length
(c) Blunders
Can usually be traced back to poor field procedures
Photographs and Sketches
The production of visual images has long been an important part of fieldwork.
Sketching used to be a big thing; less so today, unless you have time and the skills.
Can sometimes still be helpful though: even if you take a photo of a soil profile, sometimes a drawing helps to explain fine features in photo.
Photos (and sketches) complement field notes. Make sure you record data necessary to explain photo!
Field Photo Examples
Examples of field photos with site identification and date.
Discussion of the quality of field photos.
Field Note Features
Precision and Accuracy—Measurements should be recorded to the correct degree of precision.
Integrity—Field notes should be recorded in the field at the time of the measurement, not later from memory.
Legibility—Need we say more??
Arrangement—Various surveys have their own style of notes.
Clarity—The most important aspect of recording field notes is probably the consistency of the note taker.
Field Note Task
Job 1 Part 1: Do this before lab next Tues. Observe your surroundings and think scientifically!
Field notes should always start with the date, time, weather conditions, and researcher names. Write these at the start of any field notebook entry. You can use your phone app to describe weather and location info.
Continue your notes by describing what your purpose is today? Are you testing theories? Gathering samples? Observing your geologic surroundings? Making maps?
Note your location via UTM coordinates. Provide the following for each location: a basic description of the area, directions to your area of study, cardinal directions (use your phone, sun, landmarks).
Sketch your study area, paying attention to natural and anthropogenic features. What important map aspects should you include?
Maps
It's all about location!
What is a Map?
A visual representation of an area.
A model (representation) of features on the Earth’s surface.
To scale?
2D (because the Earth is NOT!) representation, aka flat or planar.
Historical Maps
Examples of historical world maps.
World Map
Political map showing countries, oceans, and other geographical features.
General Soil Map of Texas
Map showing the different soil types in Texas.
Includes a key to the soil types.
Example Map
Example of a map highlighting a specific area.
Why Maps?
Show where things are.
Shows the extents of features (size, boundary).
Navigation – roads, trails.
Shows terrain or topography.
Shows patterns, distributions, and relationships.
Pattern of settlements
Distribution of old-growth forest
Relationship between vegetation and wildlife habitat
Represent inventory/abundance of cultural or physical features
Map Components
Mapped area
Neatline (frame)
Graticule
Coordinate system
Inset map
Other important stuff
Typographical data (title, datum, projection, publisher, etc.)
Legend
Scale (ratio, bar, or written statement)
Orientation (north arrow)
General Reference Maps
Planimetric: 2D representation of horizontal positions of human-made and natural features on the Earth’s surface (but not elevation).
Cadastral: 2D representation of horizontal positions of boundaries, ownership, and other land parcel details.
Topographic
Detailed and accurate illustration of human-made and natural features on the Earth’s surface.
Show both horizontal and vertical components of a landscape (elevation).
Topo maps are also known as contour maps, because they show elevation above sea level using contour lines.
Topo Quads
Series of maps produced by the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
Rectangular shape.
Variety of sizes.
Generally use 7.5’ (minute) scale, spanning 7.5 minutes of lat and long (1 minute lat is approx. 1.15 miles, same for long at the equator but less as you move away).
Useful info they include:
Map name
Datum and projection
Scale
Legend
Contour interval
Topo Quad - Map Name Example
Example of a topo quad map name and location information.
Topo Quad - Map Design Info Example
Example of topo quad map design information.
Map Scales
Indicates the distance on the map compared to distance in the real world: 1:24000
One inch on the map equals 24000 inches in the real world (or, there are 24000 inches in a mile).
Graphical - by a line divided into equal parts and marked in units of length.
Map Scale Examples
Diagram showing decreasing detail and increasing coverage with different map scales.
Topo Map Legends
Blue—water
Green—trees or forest
Black and Red—Human-created features and boundaries
Brown—contour lines
White—little or no vegetation; snow or glaciers
Purple—features added since the original survey, based on aerial photos
Topographic Map Legend
Detailed legend of topographic map symbols.
Contour Lines
Distinguishing characteristic of a topo map
Lines of equal elevation above a fixed datum (usually sea level)
The elevation between each line is the contour interval
Contour Illustration
Illustrates how contours relate to height in 3D and top views.
Topographic Maps
Contour Interval – difference in elevation between each line. MUST be equal spacing.
Contour interval = 20 feet
520, 540, 560, 580
Index Contour
Usually every 5th line is printed darker and has an elevation printed on it.
Rules for Contours
Contour lines never cross
Contours form closed loops (even if not shown of the map).
Rules for Contours (cont.)
Contours bend upstream (uphill) when crossing a stream.
Contour lines close together represent a steep slope, farther apart a more gentle slope
Depressions
Depressions are indicated by hachures or little barbs on contour lines
Large depressions are simply recognized from the pattern of contour lines
Generally only small depressions are shown with hachures
History of Surveying and Map Making
Babylon: knew 3-4-5 triangle; developed base-60 system
Egypt: used simple plumb line sighting & right-angle instruments.
Great pyramid: base square is 230m on each side – 4500 ya!
Roman Groma
Early Surveying Tools
Gunter’s Chain: A measuring tool developed in the 1620’s. This chain consisted of 100 links and can reach up to about 66 feet. In practice, the links are pinned to the ground and were stretched out to define a path. Measurements would then be recorded until an endpoint was met.
Solar Compass: created in 1853 by William Austin Burt to determine the true north direction with precise accuracy. This tool allowed for corners and boundaries to be established.
Types of Surveys
Survey: The science of determining the relative positions of points on the Earth’s surface.
Geodetic survey
Covers distances large enough that the curvature of Earth is significant
Establishes network of precisely located control points
Plane survey [not ‘plain’]
Straight lines & angles are sufficient
Assumes the Earth’s surface to be flat (a plane)
More common than geodetic surveys
Precise enough for small-scale surveys in a limited area, like a construction site
Used to determine legal boundaries, construction surveys, small-area topo surveys
Basic Survey Methods
Using Map and Compass
Measuring direction/angle
Locating a point
Measuring a distance
Measuring elevation and differences in elevation
Compass Components
Diagram illustrating the parts of a compass, including base plate, direction of travel arrow, orienting lines, magnetic needle, declination scale, lanyard, etc.
Brunton Pocket Transit
Components of the Brunton Pocket Transit
magnetic needle
graduated circle, azimuth or quadrant format
zero pin for setting magnetic declination
sighting arm
peep sight
mirror
round (bull's eye) level
clinometer scale (degrees and gradient)
clinometer level
Brunton Pocket Transit Uses
The pocket transit is used to measure either compass directions (azimuth or bearing), or vertical angles
An azimuth or bearing is measured by pointing the sighting arm toward the target while leveling the round level
The north (usually white) end of the needle will indicate the azimuth or bearing
Magnetic Declination Illustration
Magnetic north pole vs Geographic north pole
Calculate Magnetic Declination
Link to NOAA website for calculating magnetic declination.
Setting Declination on Compass
Follow the instruction on the Manual.
Page 4, Section 3 “Magnetic Declination”
Bearing
[primary compass direction, N or S] + [degree of angle] + [E or W deflection]
Degree of angle < 90°
A straight line has two bearings.
Measured in degrees clockwise from north on a 360° circle.
Interchangeable with bearing degrees only when in the first quadrant
Name the bearing and azimuth
Azimuth Measurement
Measuring a Direction/Angle
Azimuth Measurement using Brunton
This method is often used when the object lies as much as 45° above, or 15° below the observer.
Hold transit waist high and in your left hand.
Open cover toward your body to approximately 45°.
Open large sight, until perpendicular to the body. (Fig 13)
Press left forearm against your waist and steady with right hand.
Level compass using round bubble level.
Look into the mirror, and bisect the large sight and the object with mirror center line. (Fig 14)
Check that bubble is centered in round bubble level.
Read azimuth where the "N" end of needle points at the graduated circle.
Taking a Bearing (Azimuth)
Make sure your bezel is turned to 0 degrees north. Point your directional arrow on the compass towards your target destination. Notice where the magnetic north needle is pointed. Rotate your bezel until place “Red in the Shed.” When the north needle is in the shed, read your bearing/azimuth at the directional arrow.
Correcting Azimuth for Declination
If the Compass is not corrected for declination, how would you solve the azimuth?
Megan is in San Jose, California. The declination is 17°E. Megan's compass reading from her current location to the mountain range to which she is traveling is 35°. What is her true reading?
Answer: Megan's true reading is 52 degrees.
Formulas for Declination Correction
For Easterly Declination:
True reading = magnetic reading + declination
For Westerly Declination:
True reading = magnetic reading - declination
Measuring Distance with Pacing
Used commonly in reconnaissance or for detecting major mistakes in linear measurements obtained with a chain or a tape.
Method: counting number of paces and multiplying it with the average length of the pace.
Baseline Mapping
The simplest way to map a small area is by tying features on the landscape to a baseline. In some respects this is similar to a coordinate system but uses only one axis rather than two. That one axis is called a "baseline." Essentially, lay out a straight line through the area to be mapped (the baseline), then note the location of features in terms of their distances from the baseline, measured at a right angle, and the distances of these points from one end of the baseline.
Tying in Data
Example of tying-in data using azimuths and distances.
Survey Task Reminder
REMINDER Job 1 Part 1: Do this before lab next Tues. Observe your surroundings and think scientifically!
Field notes should always start with the date, time, weather conditions, and researcher names. Write these at the start of any field notebook entry. You can use your phone app to describe weather and location info.
Continue your notes by describing what your purpose is today? Are you testing theories? Gathering samples? Observing your geologic surroundings? Making maps?
Note your location via UTM coordinates. Provide the following for each location: a basic description of the area, directions to your area of study, cardinal directions (use your phone, sun, landmarks).
Sketch your study area, paying attention to natural and anthropogenic features. What important map aspects should you include?