Geology Paleocurrent Direction Calculator
Weighted circular mean of independently tilt-corrected directional paleocurrent measurements; canceling resultant rejected. Caller independently establishes matching units, evidence, method edition and applicability; output is not compliance, diagnosis, work-safety approval, geological identity or validated hazard prediction.
Description
Paleocurrent azimuths are circular measurements, so directions near zero and 360 degrees should be close in an average.
Paleocurrent azimuths are circular measurements, so directions near zero and 360 degrees should be close in an average.1
A weighted vector resultant gives both mean direction and concentration, while opposed directions can leave no resolved mean. Use this tool to calculate paleocurrent direction from the supplied measurements and assumptions.
When to use Geology Paleocurrent Direction Calculator
Use this tool to calculate paleocurrent direction from the supplied measurements and assumptions. Establish the measurement units, sampled interval, calibration or model edition and geological assumptions before entering data.
How to use Geology Paleocurrent Direction Calculator and understand its results
- Establish the measurement units, sampled interval, calibration or model edition and geological assumptions before entering data.
- Enter azimuthDegrees, observationWeights, using the field meanings and rules below, then run the tool.
- Read circularMeanDegrees, resultantConcentration. Interpret the fields using their units, signs and evidence conventions below.
- If input validation fails, correct the reported field and run again. Before applying the result, check reference scope, model assumptions and any missing evidence or placeholder values.
| Input field | Meaning | Value type | Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| azimuthDegrees | Azimuth degrees | list of number | Required |
| observationWeights | Observation weights | list of number | Required |
Enter nonempty aligned azimuths satisfying 0≤angle<360 degrees and nonnegative weights with positive total. Normalize weights, sum cosine and sine components, and compute the resultant norm. A norm below 1e−12 fails as an unresolved direction. Return atan2 of the vector wrapped to [0,360), plus its dimensionless concentration.
x=Σw_i cos(angle_i)/Σw; y=Σw_i sin(angle_i)/Σw; direction=wrapDegrees(atan2(y,x)); concentration=√(x²+y²) Use the exact units, boundary rules, ordering and missing-evidence conventions above.
| Output field | Meaning | Value type |
|---|---|---|
| circularMeanDegrees | Circular Mean Degrees; follow the units, sign, ordering and evidence convention stated above | number |
| resultantConcentration | Resultant Concentration; follow the units, sign, ordering and evidence convention stated above | number |
{
"input": {
"azimuthDegrees": [
350,
10
],
"observationWeights": [
1,
1
]
},
"output": {
"circularMeanDegrees": 0,
"resultantConcentration": 0.9848077530122079
}
}Limitations and assumptions
A weighted vector resultant gives both mean direction and concentration, while opposed directions can leave no resolved mean. Interpretation depends on the units, sampling scope and exact model described above.
All listed fields require explicit values. Unexpected fields, incorrect types, nonfinite numbers and sparse evidence arrays fail validation; the specific bounds and alignment requirements are stated above. Extremely large inputs or outputs can also be rejected. An input error is distinct from a successful result reporting false, no matches or missing evidence.
Alternative or Complementary methods
Use Geology Paleomagnetic Fold Test Calculator for this related task: A paleomagnetic fold test compares direction clustering across independently generated unfolding trials.
Use Geology Dendrochronology Cross Dating Calculator when its separate inputs and assumptions fit the question: Crossdating compares a sample series with candidate windows in a reference chronology.
References
Similar or alternative tools
- Geology Paleomagnetic Fold Test Calculator
A paleomagnetic fold test compares direction clustering across independently generated unfolding trials.
- Geology Dendrochronology Cross Dating Calculator
Crossdating compares a sample series with candidate windows in a reference chronology.