Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Geology, Palaeontology & Archaeology => Topic started by: karl walton on 19/09/2006 21:02:35

Title: Settle an argument (please)
Post by: karl walton on 19/09/2006 21:02:35
I and other members of our climbing forum have been arguing about the angle of a climb we are discussing.
I realise this is not of great importance but I would appreciate your time if you can spare it.
The route in question is on Gritstone in Staffordshire England at the Roaches.
The route is called 'The Sloth', and can be seen in lots of photos here.
http://www.ukclimbing.com/photos/search.html?text=sloth&x=1&y=9

We have all judged the angle by eye attempting to allow for errors from photographic angle etc, but we do not get a consensus you might say.
I was hoping that someone might know of a more objective answer, or a way to assess this more accurately from the photos
I have tried to search for this specific data with no success.

Anyway, there you go, humour me or not, thanks.
Title: Re: Settle an argument (please)
Post by: another_someone on 19/09/2006 22:56:26
Sorry, but from a single picture (from a single angle - so no way of creating any kind of stereo vision), with no referemce to an absolute vertical or and absolute horizontal, I cannot see that it would be possible.



George
Title: Re: Settle an argument (please)
Post by: karl walton on 20/09/2006 07:25:04
Thanks for that.
I figured it would be hard.
I did wonder though if any information about bedding plane angles for this outcrop might be available, assuming that they would be applicable, (speaking as a lay person).
Title: Re: Settle an argument (please)
Post by: another_someone on 20/09/2006 11:46:30
I really can't answer about the geological aspects.  There are a couple of geologists on this site (US based, so their knowledge of particular UK sites may be variable), so we'll see if one of them comes along to spot your post, and may be able to give a more definative answer to that.



George
Title: Re: Settle an argument (please)
Post by: Bass on 20/09/2006 16:31:11
Certainly the orientation of the bedding planes can be measured (strike and dip), the "dip" being the maximum angle to the horizontal.  This is easily measured with a clinometer.  Assuming the bedding planes are consistent, the measurements could be taken in more accessible spots.  Check with local college or university geology departments- they may have knowledge of rock orientations in that area.

Subduction causes orogeny.
Title: Re: Settle an argument (please)
Post by: another_someone on 19/09/2006 22:56:26
Sorry, but from a single picture (from a single angle - so no way of creating any kind of stereo vision), with no referemce to an absolute vertical or and absolute horizontal, I cannot see that it would be possible.



George
Title: Re: Settle an argument (please)
Post by: karl walton on 20/09/2006 07:25:04
Thanks for that.
I figured it would be hard.
I did wonder though if any information about bedding plane angles for this outcrop might be available, assuming that they would be applicable, (speaking as a lay person).
Title: Re: Settle an argument (please)
Post by: another_someone on 20/09/2006 11:46:30
I really can't answer about the geological aspects.  There are a couple of geologists on this site (US based, so their knowledge of particular UK sites may be variable), so we'll see if one of them comes along to spot your post, and may be able to give a more definative answer to that.



George
Title: Re: Settle an argument (please)
Post by: Bass on 20/09/2006 16:31:11
Certainly the orientation of the bedding planes can be measured (strike and dip), the "dip" being the maximum angle to the horizontal.  This is easily measured with a clinometer.  Assuming the bedding planes are consistent, the measurements could be taken in more accessible spots.  Check with local college or university geology departments- they may have knowledge of rock orientations in that area.

Subduction causes orogeny.
Title: Re: Settle an argument (please)
Post by: karl walton on 22/09/2006 11:25:38
Many thanks for your replies, very helpful.
I do realise I'm asking a rather tricky question.
I shall try the leads you have mentioned.
Thanks again.
Title: Re: Settle an argument (please)
Post by: daveshorts on 22/09/2006 12:41:01
I would have thought the easiest way to find this out for sure is to abseil down it with a protractor and a spirit level, or would that take the fun out of teh arguement?

I don't know avout mill stone grit in particular, but bedding planes can change in angle over quite short distances for example if they were layed down in sand dunes or the bottom of a river, so it may not be a very good way of working it out anyway.