Outcrop photos of planar layers

This page provides some examples of planar layering - bedding in the examples shown below. Please refer to the webpage if you use any of these in your lectures.


This is a great example of horizontal bedding from Ras ir Raheb, Malta. Notice that the layers are parallel to sea level.


This is a good example of dipping bedding from the southwest of Ireland (Ballybunion, Kerry; photo by Simon Barker).


An excellent example of non-horizontal bedding from the southwest of Ireland (photo by Simon Barker). By definition the strike is the intersection of the geologic structure (in this case, bedding) and a horizontal plane, which is this case can be defined by sea level (i.e. the Atlantic Ocean). The cliff-section, where the dipping beds can be seen, is almost perpendicular to the strike, and therefore provides the true dip of bedding.


This photo, which is an excellent example of the V-rule, was taken from the crusader Castle Chateau de Quéribus, Pyrenees, France, looking north. What appears to be a folded layer are in fact planar limestones that dip towards the south (towards you) and are transected by river valleys. This complex geometry arises solely due to topography - the geology is simple. Please have a look at our V-rule papermodel, which illustrates dipping layers in a valley.

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