What is the Right-Hand Rule (RHR) notation?

In RHR notation, you orient your right hand so the fingers point in the dip direction and the thumb points along strike. The strike value is always such that dip is to the right of the strike direction. This eliminates ambiguity about which of the two possible strike directions is meant.

What is apparent dip and when does it matter?

Apparent dip is the dip angle observed in a vertical cross-section that is not perpendicular to strike. It is always less than or equal to true dip. Geologists must account for apparent dip when constructing cross-sections oblique to the strike of the units.

What is the formula for apparent dip?

Apparent dip (a) = arctan(tan(true dip) × sin(angle between traverse and strike)). The angle between traverse and strike is the absolute angular difference between the traverse azimuth and the strike azimuth.

How do I enter quadrant notation?

Quadrant notation uses cardinal directions, for example N45°E means 45 degrees east of north. The tool accepts this in the format N45E or S30W. You can also simply enter a numeric azimuth (0–360) and let the tool convert it for you.

What is the difference between strike and dip azimuth?

Strike is a horizontal compass bearing (the direction of the horizontal line on the tilted plane). Dip azimuth (also called dip direction) is perpendicular to strike, pointing in the downhill direction of the tilted plane, and differs from strike by exactly 90 degrees.

Strike and Dip Calculator

Name: Strike and Dip Calculator
Availability: InStock
Author: Nham Vu

Convert strike/dip between notation formats and calculate apparent dip for any traverse azimuth.

Strike & Dip Input

Input format

Strike azimuth (°)

True dip angle (°)

Dip direction (relative to strike)

Apparent Dip (optional)

Traverse / cross-section azimuth (°)

Enter strike and dip values, then click Convert.

Summary

Convert strike/dip between notation formats and calculate apparent dip for any traverse azimuth.

How it works

Enter your strike value in degrees (0–360 for azimuth/RHR, or quadrant format like N45E).
Enter the true dip angle in degrees (0–90) and select dip direction.
The tool normalizes and converts the measurement to all three notation formats.
For apparent dip, enter the azimuth of your traverse or cross-section direction.
The calculated apparent dip angle is shown with the formula used.

Use cases

Convert field measurements between RHR, azimuth, and quadrant notations.
Calculate apparent dip for cross-section construction in geological mapping.
Verify strike-dip consistency when correlating outcrop measurements.
Compute the dip visible in a road cut or trench at a given orientation.
Educational tool for structural geology and field geology courses.
Rapid checks when drafting geological cross-sections.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Last updated: 2026-05-23 · Reviewed by Nham Vu