INTERPRETING GEOLOGY DEPICTED ON THE FIRST GEOLOGICAL MAP EVER PRODUCED AND ASSESSMENT OF ARTISTIC TECHNIQUES USED BY WILLIAM SMITH IN HIS LANDMARK "MAP THAT CHANGED THE WORLD"

In The Burlington House of London, also known as the Palladian mansion lays the most important tool within the study of geology. William Smith's creation “A Delineation of the Strata of England and Wales with Part of Scotland; exhibiting the Collieries and Mines; The Marshes and Fenlands originally overflowed by the Sea; and the Varieties of Soils according to the Variations in the Sub Strata; illustrated by the Most Descriptive Names” is the first known geologic map and also a historical piece of art. He is known as the “Father of English Geology”. He created an estimated 400 maps by hand while working in canals, studying fossils and studying the mineral make up of rocks in each layer. Studying William Smith's correlations of colors and art techniques will draw a closer conclusion to his interpretation of England and the surrounding geology. Creating cross sections in multiple directions drawn from one of the original maps (map number twenty four) using William Smith's artistic techniques will give a new view of the map and perhaps lead to a better understanding of William Smith's studies. Creating 3D block diagrams will also show possible patterns, faults, elevations and strike and dips. All recreations are done in oil paints to give the original effect and represent the technique William Smith used.

“The man might be imprisoned – but his discoveries could not be”

-William Smith