Quantitative Contour Plot

In addition to contouring pole densities on the stereonet, Dips allows you to contour values of any quantitative data column on the stereonet. For example, values of principal stress magnitudes measured at known orientations, or any directional data with an associated magnitude.

To plot quantitative contours:

1. Select Contours from the Visibility tree.
2. Set Visibility = ON.
3. Set Contour Type = Quantitative from the drop down in the Properties pane.
4. Select the Data Column from the drop down. Any qualitative column (i.e., Numeric Data Type) from the Pole Data Grid can be plotted.

The contours represent linearly interpolated concentrations, calculated using the Inverse Distance interpolation method specified in the Edit Contour Data dialog.

EXAMPLE

Open the Exampstr.dips9 file in the Examples folder installed with the program (File > Recent Folders > Examples Folder).

This file contains principal stress data obtained from 20 CSIRO cells in an underground research cavern. This file is meant to illustrate alternative uses for Dips (other than joint data) and to illustrate the variation in magnitude and direction of stress data.

If you set the Data Column = Magnitude column in this file, you will actually be contouring principal stress magnitudes on the stereonet. This is a typical example.

The Data Column contour option is only applicable for quantitative data columns, which vary with orientation, such that you can contour the data on the stereonet. It is not applicable for qualitative data columns (i.e., non-numeric) or for columns which have numeric data that is not intended for contouring (e.g., ID, or random data with no directional pattern).