Drawing schematic diagrams

Schematic diagrams are invaluable in Earth Science in the communication of concepts in both publications and teaching. These diagrams can also be used during fieldwork to help develop interpretations of structures, palaeoenvironments, and geological processes. This chapter describes methods used to create block diagrams of structures and landscapes, surface diagrams of folds and faults, and process diagrams used to summarize interpretations of a wide range of processes. Schematic diagrams can and should be included in field notes. Process diagrams represent a cartoon of interpretative thoughts. Four worked examples of schematic diagrams are provided to illustrate their uses and construction.