Construct a Fold Cross-Section Using the Arc

(Busk) Method
Steven Dutch, Natural and Applied Sciences, University of Wisconsin - Green Bay
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How the Arc (Busk) Method Works

This method approximates folds as a series of circular arcs. This method was published by H.G. Busk
in 1929, so it is sometimes called the Busk Method.

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1. Given the two dips shown, how

do we approximate the fold as
circular arcs? We cannot assume
the measurements are on the
same bed - they almost certainly
are not.
2. The problem is to find
concentric circles tangent to the
two dip measurements.
3. Radii of circles are always
perpendicular to the tangent
where the radius hits the circle.
4. Therefore, we construct
perpendiculars to each dip, and
the intersection of the two
perpendiculars is the center of the
desired arcs.

We find the centers of curvature between adjacent dip measurements and construct the arcs for each.
The arcs are bounded by the perpendiculars for each pair of dip measurements.

A Common Problem
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1. It's quite common in this

method for perpendiculars to dip
measurements to intersect far off
the diagram.
2. Locate the bisector of the angle
between the perpendiculars. One
way is to construct lines parallel to
each side the same distance in,
so that the lines intersect. Then
bisect that angle.
3. From each dip datum, draw a
line perpendicular to the bisector
and extend it to the opposite side.
This locates the other end of the
arc.
4. Construct the dips on opposite
sides of the sector. Dips along
any one side of the sector are all
equal and parallel.

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5. If you extend the dips in to the

bisector, the arcs must lie within
the yellow triangles.
6. Sketch the arcs. They will
approximately bisect the center
line of each triangle. A good
visual approximation is sufficient.
7. The completed arcs.
8. Data from adjacent sectors can
be carried across (tick marks in
red) by measuring distances
relative to the already plotted arcs
.

The earth will not fall out of orbit if the arcs in a sector like that shown above are approximate. What
matters most is the end points of the arc, because they determine relative stratigraphic position from
one side to the other. Within the sector, between the dip datum points, there is no data, and the arc is
only an approximation to the true (and unknown) exact shape of the fold.
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If the dips are exactly equal, then the perpendiculars will be parallel, and the center will be at infinity.
No problem - the "arcs" become straight lines.

Example

In the example at left, dip data are

shown. We want to construct a
cross-section that satisfies the
data.
The stratigraphic units are
colored here but will not be
colored for most of the remaining
diagrams. It is often better not to
consider stratigraphy until after
the cross-section is drawn.

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We first find the center for

concentric circles tangent to dips
1 and 2.
All the circles tangent to dip 1
have their centers on a line
perpendicular to dip 1. All the
circles tangent to dip 2 have their
centers on a line perpendicular to
dip 2
Therefore, the intersection C12 is
the center of concentric circles
tangent both to dip 1 and to dip 2.

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Using C12 as a center, draw arcs

tangent to dips 1 and 2 as shown.
Draw the arcs only between the
two perpendiculars.

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Now locate center C23, the center

of concentric circles tangent to
dips 2 and 3. You already have a
line perpendicular to dip 2, so you
only need to draw a line
perpendicular to dip 3.
Note that, as often happens, the
center is off the diagram.
Draw the arcs tangent to dips 2
and 3. Again, draw them only
between the two perpendiculars.

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We can now exchange

information with sector 1-2.
Extend the arc from dip 1 into
sector 2-3, using C23 as a center
(lower red arc).
Extend the arc from dip 3 into
sector 1-2, using C12 as a center
(upper red arc).
In general, as we complete the
cross-section, we will extend data
from one sector to the next like
this.

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We can now construct center C34

by drawing a perpendicular to dip
4. We already have the
perpendicular to dip 3.
We extend the arcs from sector 23 into sector 3-4 as shown.
Note that the arc that starts at dip
2 passes very close to dip 4. We
don't need an arc through every
dip, even though we may use that
dip to construct a center of
curvature. So we won't bother
drawing an arc for dip 4.

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Construct center C45 by drawing

a perpendicular to dip 5. We
already have the perpendicular to
dip 4.
Extend the arcs from sector 3-4
into sector 4-5 as shown.
Note that the arc that starts at dip
1 passes very close to dip 5.
Again, we need not bother
drawing an arc for dip 4.

Note that center C45 lies very near dip measurement 4. This is purely coincidental and has no
significance.
Sector 4-5 presents a problem. The arc from dip 2 passes just about through C45, and the arc from
dip 3 passes on the opposite side of C45 than does the arc from dip 1. When concentric folds have
tight curvature, something has to give in the middle. If an arc passes on the wrong side of the center of
curvature, do not draw it.

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Construct center C56 by drawing

a perpendicular to dip 6. We
already have the perpendicular to
dip 5.
Note that the intersection is now
beneath the surface. This is no
problem. It means the fold is now
concave downward (an anticline)

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Construct the arc tangent to dip 6

as shown. Since this point is
stratigraphically lower than all the
other datum points, we continue
the arc back through all the other
sectors as well (shown in red).

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Construct arcs to connect with all

the previously-constructed arcs as
shown in red.

Sectors 6-7, 7-8, 9-9 and 9-10 are handled the same way, so the remaining illustrations simply show
the results for each sector.

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Sector 6-7 completed

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Sector 7-8 completed.

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Sector 8-9 completed. Since

point 9 falls between two already
drawn arcs, there is no real need
to construct another arc for it, at
least for now.
Note that centers C67, C78 and
C89 are all close together. This
simply means the fold has fairly
uniform curvature over that
interval.

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Sector 9-10 completed. Since

point 10 falls very close to an
already drawn arc, there is no real
need to construct another arc for
it.

Tying the Diagram to Reality

It is virtually certain when you draw a cross section using strictly geometric methods that the contacts
will not match exactly with their predicted positions. There are many reasons why not:
The units will not be uniform in thickness
There are small construction errors
Dips are not uniform from place to place
Dip measurements have small errors
Folds do not have ideal geometrical shapes.
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Here we have indicated the

stratigraphy. It is virtually certain
when you draw a cross section
using strictly geometric methods
that the contacts will not match
exactly with their predicted
positions.
What we need to do now is
redraw the folds so the crosssection matches both the dips
and the stratigraphy.

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Here all the construction has been

removed and the arcs are
subdued.
Most of the time you can modify
the fold shapes by hand to match
the stratigraphy without too much
trouble. Modified contacts are in
black.

Do not get distracted by your dip symbols or stratigraphic colors. The only requirement is that the
stratigraphy and dips match on the surface. Be prepared to modify the colors and depart from the
dips below the surface if it's called for. Compare the two diagrams above to see that this was actually
done.
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Created 18 October 2000, Last Update 20 October 2000
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