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Abstract

This paper is  a critical analysis of  the  methods  traditionally  used in geological cartography in connection with areal measurements and  calculations, especialty in relation to oíl concession applications in Colombia.  The  author's contentlon is that at least fifty  percent of  the  work  conventionally done for  this purpose is inconslstent and superfluous.  He propases modifications for its improoement, which of course may be extended to other fields of surveying and cartography. In the Introduction, an attempt is made to explain  the  reasons for the amazing inconsistency of  methods and policies traditionally followed in this master, attributing it mainly to the fact that the problem is characteristically one of overlapping fields  (geology and surveying). The main criticism is inspired on the very elementary  but quite disregarded principie of the  "significant figures"  (Jerived [rotn the  theories of  probabilities and errors}, upon  which  professor  J. C.  Tracy  of  Yale  University  called atention  in  his book,  referring  to  inconsistent  and  worthless  rejinements and procedures in  calculations as "stupid  and  unnecessary labor", In support of  his assertions, the author examines and analyses the scope and limitations of  the different surveying and cartographic methods, including compass, plane table,  transit, astronomical points, projection systems, and photogrammetric methods.

The principal recommended modifications and simplifications for areal calculations and  measurementsderived  from this  study are: a) Statement of areal figures in round hectares, without decimal places; b) Elimination of doublemeridian distances calculations; c) Use of  natural  functions  tables  with   only  5  or  6  decimal  places; d)   Approximation   of distances, projections and coordinases  to the  nearest meter, and angular oalues to the nearest minute;  e) Substantial simplification of gauss projection calculations,  especially in relation to astronomical points;  f) Reduction of  planimeter  measurements to a minimum of compensated readings, and g) Improved methods for oil  reserooir calculations (volumetric).  The adoocated practica/ and technical advantages of  these proposed modifications and simplifications are: a) More consistent results; b) Labor economy of at least fifty  percent, and c) Reduction of  sise and  number  of  calculattons sheets and  accompanying papers and documents.