Paleocurrent Analysis in Light of trough Cross-Stratification Geometry

Random trough cross-strata dip directions may have a mean direction quite different from the trough axis, and therefore may not give an accurate paleocurrent direction. If trough plunge can be measured, a single measurement on a trough side can be corrected to give the trough axial azimuth. On perfectly two dimensional vertical surfaces it is still possible to estimate trough axial azimuths by measuring the face azimuth and two apparent dips on opposite sides of a trough, and applying a correction established by a theoretical geometric analysis of troughs.