Core Depth Reference Offset Tool

Description

offset = recordedDepth-referenceDepth, negated when positiveDown is false.

Geological records use depth datums, age-before-present coordinates and recovery definitions. A signed difference or recovered-length ratio can expose a supplied inconsistency without reconstructing geological history or correcting sample loss.

offset = recordedDepth-referenceDepth, negated when positiveDown is false.

When to use this tool

Use Core Depth Reference Offset when checking an explicit geological coordinate, interval or recovery convention.

How to use the tool and how it works

Enter recordedDepth, referenceDepth, positiveDown. Use the units and conventions below.
Run the tool. Correct any format, range, or cross-field input error before interpreting the output.
Read offset. Use the output convention below.

offset = recordedDepth-referenceDepth, negated when positiveDown is false.^[1]

Input field	Meaning and units	Accepted input
recordedDepth	Recorded Depth	Required. Finite number.
referenceDepth	Reference Depth	Required. Finite number.
positiveDown	Positive Down	Required. Boolean.

Output field	Interpretation	Returned shape
offset	Signed coordinate or index difference under the stated order and reference convention.	Required. Finite number.

json

{
  "input": {
    "recordedDepth": 12,
    "referenceDepth": 10,
    "positiveDown": true
  },
  "output": {
    "offset": 2
  }
}

Limitations and assumptions

Depths must share a datum and unit. This sign-adjusted difference does not transform between independent datums or establish the true sample position.
Inputs must satisfy both the field types and the cross-field conditions above. Invalid input causes an error; a successful false flag or documented placeholder is a different result.
Numeric calculations use binary floating point unless exact decimal-integer arithmetic is explicitly stated. No hidden measurement tolerance or decimal rounding is added; nonfinite or out-of-contract results are rejected. Numeric signed-zero results are exported as zero.

Alternative or Complementary methods

Use verified datums, original logs and appropriate geological interpretation when correlating units or reconstructing missing intervals.

References

Calculation and input contract: earth-science/core-depth-reference-offset — tool.io

Similar or alternative tools

Core Top Bottom Datum Sign
Convert supplied core depths to elevations while retaining the raw signed depth difference.
Stratigraphic Depth Interval Thickness
signedThickness = (bottomDepth-topDepth)*scale, negated when positiveDown is false; absoluteThickness = abs(bottomDepth-topDepth)*scale.