Free tool

True thickness and depth to a bed

Calculate the true thickness of a bed from its outcrop width and dip on flat or sloping ground, and the depth to a bed at a given distance.

Open the true thickness and depth calculator

Formulas

With h the outcrop width measured horizontally perpendicular to strike and v the elevation difference between the contacts:

• Horizontal ground: t = h·sin(dip)
• Slope and dip in opposite directions: t = h·sin(dip) + v·cos(dip)
• Same direction, bed steeper than slope: t = h·sin(dip) − v·cos(dip)
• Same direction, bed gentler than slope: t = v·cos(dip) − h·sin(dip)

Depth to a bed

depth = horizontal distance × tan(dip)

For flat ground, measured perpendicular to strike from the outcrop.