Lake Superior Paper - The Dip Needle in Stratigraphy (with Discussion)

This paper presents some of the results obtained during the field season of 1919 while mapping, in detail, the stratigraphy of the Gogebic Range in Wisconsin. The detailed stratigraphic section for the range was first published, in 1919, by W. 0. Hotchkiss,1 State Gcologist of Wisconsin. The idea of the continuity of the definite succession thus established was the result of underground work in the productive part of the range in Michigan and Wisconsin, where most of the required data also were obtained. The bulk of the range in Wisconsin is heavily covered by drift; in fact, there is but one satisfactorily exposed section across the entire formation, few partial sections, and only scanty outcrops of any size. Evidently mapping of the detailed members of the formation could only be established at a few points; and if from these small areas the .unexposed portions were to be mapped by projection, the only apparent method for projection was straight-line interpolation modified or supported by data from the scanty outcrops and from test workings. It was found that by tracing a magnetic line, the position of which in the formation may be determined from test pits and outcrops, the projection of that member through the drift-covered areas can be accomplished. The magnetic line serves as a datum horizon within the formation to which reference may be made in correlating outcrops and ledge matter thrown from test workings. The foot wall is easily located also, and from the two datum horizons thus available and the known proportional thickness of the several members in the type sections, outcrops and artificially exposed ledges can be correlated by lithological characteristics. As a result, the tracing of magnetic lines became the basis of our work on the stratigraphy and we were able to carry the mapping of detailed members throughout the length of the range. It was found that the magnetic horizon at the base of the Tyler slate was most easily followed by the dip needle; that discontinuity caused by cross-faulting could be established; that folding along the strike could be detected in a repetition