Generating Simple Contour Maps Using Surfer

Power On and Log In

Logon in the computer lab using your BEDROCK username and password.  A standard desktop will come up.  The Surfer icon is included on the standard desktop.

Launch SURFER (v6.04)

These instructions will allow you to quickly generate a contour map, however more detailed documentation is available through the Surfer help screens.  If you don't find it here, look there.  Contouring data requires assumptions about the statistics and underlying processes that generate the parameter being contoured.  Data can be misinterpreted through contouring, if you have questions about how contouring effects your data interpretation, then consult a standard text on statistics (such as Davis's “Statistics and Data Analysis in Geology”) or review the “Choosing a Gridding Method” help screen in Surfer.

Read the Data Observations

In general, the input to Surfer will consist of the location of an observation (described by UTM northing and easting coordinates), and the observed value of some parameter.  Parameters commonly contoured in geology include elevation, geochemical concentrations, formation depth, formation thickness, magnetic field intensity, and others.

The data is assumed to reside in a table with one observation in each row.  The table can be a text file with tab, space, or comma delimiters or in a spreadsheet format.  The table can have many extra columns but northing, easting, and the variable of interest must reside each in there own column.

Open the table by selecting: Grid ... Data.  At this point a dialog opens to determine the location of the input file.  Specify the location of the the data file.  The "List Files of Type:" box allows you to filter out files except those with the extension you seek.

Read Data into Surfer

Grid Data

Post Data

Contour data

Miscellaneous

(more to come ....)
 Revised January 2001

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Last modified August 15, 2006 by geology@uaf.edu