Azimuth F inder: a software for data reading in structural geology

Abstract

Here is presented a computational tool named AzimuthFinder, for functioning inside the set of programs of ArcGis®. The developed program is intended to facilitate and optimize the generation of azimuth data tables, using structural lineaments previously traced in maps that are being worked on that automatic information system. The characteristics of AzimuthFinder allow that, upon the user’s choice, different tables get generated for the same analysis object, depending on the relative weight attributed to the lineaments, giving for example greater weight to those of greater extension. Another characteristic of the tool is the file exportation in TXT format, which is universal to several types of programs, with specific formatting to one the software between Stereo32, Win Tensor, OpenStereo and StereoNet7, which are all free software prepared to the confection of rose diagrams. Tests with the program showed that it is very efficient and fast for generating the azimuth data tables, effectively allowing easier confection of rose diagrams, which are necessary for the structural analysis in areas submitted to fragile deformation.

Keywords

• Software
• Deformation analysis
• Structural lineaments
• Azimuth tables
• Rose diagram