COMPLETE LITHOTHEQUE USER MANUAL

Configure your app settings to adapt to your hardware profile and fieldwork demands.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. First Launch Selection When launching the application for the very first time, you are prompted to select an AI Model Tier (Premium, Standard, or Legacy) which dictates how deep learning models are executed. The Premium tier uses INT4 quantized neural networks optimized for neuromorphic processing units (NPU) found in modern high-end SoCs (like Snapdragon or MediaTek APU). The Standard tier uses INT8 quantization targeting the GPU via WebGL/Vulkan runtimes, offering balanced performance. The Legacy tier relies on standard INT8 execution on the CPU using XNNPACK fallback kernels, ensuring total compatibility for older hardware. Selecting the right tier ensures optimal inference speed while keeping your device's memory footprint under check and preventing unexpected app closures during heavy operations. Furthermore, the application tests your device's available RAM and processor threads during this phase to suggest the best model type. It establishes standard default pipelines so that the neural engine runs smoothly without lagging your primary user interface. This hardware setup process is essential to guarantee that real-time edge calculations will not crash when you are deep in remote regions with no internet connection.
2. Storage Preferences Navigate to the Settings panel and select the desired database storage strategy. By default, the application runs on a local-first architecture using a highly optimized SQLite database. This database can be encrypted using SQLCipher to ensure the confidentiality of your proprietary geological observations and coordinates in the field. You can choose to store the database on the internal storage or configure a secondary path on a removable SD card to safeguard your data. If you have active network coverage, you can also establish a secure connection to the GeoStratum Cloud Sync endpoint via HTTPS RESTful calls, enabling real-time remote backups and collaborative data sharing among field campaign members. This storage setup also allows you to configure automated local backup cycles that dump compressed SQL files to your selected directory at specified time intervals. By setting a customized storage directory, you make sure that geographic information, structural measurements, and high-resolution outcrop photographs are stored in a structural manner that prevents overwrite conflicts when importing data into external GIS software.
3. Assistant Integration Enable the Android App Functions integration within the general configuration parameters. This exposes the app's internal capabilities and structural geological schemas directly to system-level virtual assistants (such as Google Gemini or Assistant). By authorizing this bridge, the assistant can execute voice commands and query your field data hands-free. You can ask queries like 'Show my last limestone outcrop' or 'Add a bedding measurement of 45 degrees dip' while your hands are busy using a geological hammer or holding onto a steep rock face, significantly increasing safety and operational efficiency during intense field exploration campaigns. The integration also maps specific voice prompts to actions like starting a new observation card, capturing a photo, or triggering the structural compass. The assistant parses your spoken descriptions using natural language processing to extract key details (like color, grain size, or mineral composition) and automatically fills the corresponding form fields, reducing physical typing in cold or rainy conditions.

Document rock, mineral, and fossil samples with standard geological notations and chemical/mechanical properties.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Creating an Entry Tap the floating action button (+) on the main dashboard to initialize a new field observation card. Choose between three primary categories: Rock, Mineral, or Fossil. The app dynamically adapts the entry form to show relevant scientific fields. You can provide a custom identifier, select primary lithologies from a hierarchical taxonomic dropdown, and add tags for micro-structures (like foliation, vesicularity, or veins). The entry screen also allows you to link multiple geotagged macro photographs, voice notes, and quick sketches. This structured approach ensures all essential field observations are documented in a consistent format conforming to international database standards. Each observation sheet is assigned a unique UUID to prevent syncing conflicts. Once the entry is created, you can associate structural measurements, stratigraphic ages, and physical test results with it, building a comprehensive record of the outcrop that can be easily queried or exported later.
2. Acid Test (HCl) Open the geological tests tab and select the HCl Acid Reaction field. This test is crucial for diagnosing carbonate mineralogy. Apply a drop of 10% hydrochloric acid to a fresh rock surface and observe the reaction. The application allows you to document the reaction strength (None, Weak, Strong, or Violent) and the reaction speed. A violent effervescence indicates the presence of calcite (calcium carbonate), whereas a weak or delayed reaction (often requiring scraping the rock into a powder) suggests dolomite (magnesium carbonate). This simple field test helps differentiate lithologies such as limestone, dolostone, and marly variations directly on the outcrop. The application saves these reaction parameters in the sample database, allowing you to quickly filter your mapped outcrops based on carbonate content. You can also document other field tests, such as hardness (Mohs scale), magnetic attraction, or color (using Munsell soil color chart codes), to build a highly detailed physical profile of the outcrop.
3. Grain Size Analyzer Access the granulometry helper inside the observation form. The analyzer supports both the ISO 14688 geotechnical classification and the standard geological Wentworth scale. Select the scale that matches your survey protocol, then identify the predominant grain size fraction. You can choose from clay (under 2 micrometers), silt (2 to 63 micrometers), sand (fine, medium, coarse, up to 2 millimeters), or gravel and cobbles (up to 200 millimeters). The tool also features a graphical sorting guide to estimate the grain sorting (well-sorted, poorly-sorted) and grain roundness (angular, sub-rounded, well-rounded), which are key indicators of the depositional energy and transport history. By documenting these clastic parameters, the application can automatically suggest the corresponding depositional facies (such as fluvial, deltaic, or deep marine). This helps you build accurate stratigraphic logs and sedimentary models directly in the field, saving hours of post-fieldwork data entry and interpretation.

Capture high-precision location coordinates and automatically resolve the international geologic chronology hierarchy.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Enabling Scientific GPS Tap the GPS accuracy indicator inside the location block of the entry form. This activates the Scientific GPS Mode, which bypasses standard single-point geolocation in favor of an iterative averaging algorithm. The system captures 10 to 15 independent coordinate readings over a 15-second window. By calculating the mean and standard deviation of these coordinates, the app filters out transient satellite signal noise, ionospheric refraction, and atmospheric interference. This results in a highly accurate latitudinal and longitudinal position, with a precision estimation that is far superior to standard mobile location services. The app displays a progress bar during this acquisition, showing the standard deviation shrinking as more readings are collected. If the variance remains high, the app will continue sampling for up to 30 seconds, ensuring that you obtain the most reliable coordinates possible before saving the data.
2. Viewing Precision Metadata Once the scientific acquisition is complete, examine the captured metadata fields. The application displays the estimated horizontal and vertical dilution of precision (HDOP and VDOP) along with the active satellite count. Critically, the app displays both the raw ellipsoidal altitude (derived directly from the GPS WGS84 datum) and the physical orthometric altitude (mean sea level) calculated using an integrated EGM96 geoid grid model. This dual-altitude reporting is essential for matching your field observations with official topographic maps and digital elevation models (DEMs). You can also view the coordinate reference system (CRS) parameters and the computed spatial error ellipse. This metadata is saved alongside the geographic coordinates, providing a solid trail of scientific precision that is crucial when your datasets are later imported into desktop GIS software for spatial analysis.
3. ICS Stratigraphy Search In the Chronostratigraphy section, use the search input to query the local database of the International Commission on Stratigraphy (ICS). Type any known geological name, such as 'Campanian' or 'Lutetian'. The application queries the hierarchy and automatically populates the corresponding geological eon (Phanerozoic), era (Mesozoic), period (Cretaceous), epoch (Late Cretaceous), and the precise age range in millions of years (Ma). This ensures that your stratigraphic cataloging remains geologically consistent and adheres strictly to the latest official international stratigraphic chart. The ICS database is stored locally, allowing it to function completely offline without any cellular data connection. You can also browse the entire geological time scale interactively using a visual color-coded chart, enabling you to explore the relationships between different stratigraphic units and stages directly from the outcrop.

Measure plane structures (bedding, schistosity, fault plane) and linear structures (fault striations, fold axes).

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Positioning the Device To measure the orientation of a planar structure (such as a bedding plane, fault surface, or metamorphic foliation), place the flat back of your smartphone directly against the rock surface. If the rock is highly irregular or weathered, place a flat notebook or non-magnetic plate against the outcrop first, and then place your phone on top of it. This physical averaging minimizes local roughness errors, ensuring that the sensor measurements represent the true regional orientation of the geological layer rather than micro-structural irregularities. Make sure the phone is held steady and that the surface is clean of loose debris. The application uses these physical contact points to align the internal accelerometer vectors with the plane, so a stable contact is vital for obtaining reproducible structural measurements.
2. Stabilization & Lock Observe the dynamic bubble level and the stereonet display on your screen. The app uses a sensor fusion algorithm combining the accelerometer and gyroscope to calculate the plane's attitude. Once the display stabilizes, tap the virtual 'Freeze' button or press the physical volume-down key to lock the measurement. The app records the strike (0-360°), dip angle (0-90°), and dip direction (e.g., 125° SE). This tri-axial data is saved instantly to your active geological entry, removing the need for manual compass readings and handwriting. The screen also displays the current dip vector as a line on a lower-hemisphere equal-area projection (Schmidt net), giving you immediate visual feedback on the structural orientation. This helps you identify outliers or measurement errors on the spot, allowing you to retake the reading if needed.
3. Linéation Mode For linear features such as fault striations, mineral lineations, or fold axes, switch the compass interface to Lineation Mode. Align the lateral edge of your smartphone parallel to the linear structure on the rock surface. The application will measure the trend (azimuthal direction of descent) and the plunge (angle of inclination below the horizontal plane). This mode is indispensable for structural geologists conducting kinematic analysis of faults or mapping complex fold systems in highly deformed metamorphic terranes. The app also calculates the pitch (or rake) of the lineation within a measured plane when both planar and linear structures are associated on the same surface, automatically resolving the geometric relations and saving you from tedious post-field trigonometric calculations.

Utilize geological basemaps without network coverage and draw outcrop contours directly on the map.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Caching Tiles Before leaving for remote field locations with poor or non-existent network coverage, open the Map Cache Manager while connected to a high-speed Wi-Fi network. Draw a bounding box over your planned field campaign area on the interactive map. Select the desired map sources (such as OpenStreetMap, OpenTopoMap, BRGM geological maps, or BGS overlays) and choose the zoom level range (typically levels 10 to 18 for high-resolution mapping). Tap 'Download' to cache the map tiles locally on your device's storage. The cached maps are saved in a structured offline folder, allowing them to load instantaneously when you are in the field. The manager also shows the estimated download size and available storage on your device, helping you manage storage. You can cache multiple map layers for the same region, allowing you to toggle between topographic outlines and geological formations in the field.
2. Drawing Outcrop Contours To map a geological formation or a distinct outcrop boundary, tap the Polygon Tool on the mapping interface. Tap points on the screen to place vertices representing the physical boundary of the lithological unit. The app opens the ShapeEditorModal, allowing you to drag and adjust vertices, add descriptions, and assign colors based on chronostratigraphic standards. Once you tap 'Save', the app compiles the polygon into a standard OGC-compliant GeoJSON geometry, which is linked to your project and ready for export to GIS systems. The polygon editor also calculates the enclosed surface area and perimeter in real-time, providing immediate geometric data. You can edit existing polygons at any time by tapping on their boundaries, adding or removing vertices to refine the geological contours as your field mapping progresses.
3. Outcrop Filtering When working on projects with hundreds of observation markers, the map view can become cluttered. Use the Map Overlay Filter menu to narrow down the displayed data. You can filter observations by lithology type (e.g., only show sandstones), by chronostratigraphic age (e.g., only show Jurassic entries), or by the presence of specific tests like HCl reaction. The app also features a dynamic clustering engine that merges nearby markers at lower zoom levels, ensuring smooth rendering performance and a clean, legible interface. You can tap on a cluster to zoom in and expand the individual observation points. This filtering capability makes it easy to analyze regional geological trends and select specific outcrops for further examination without being overwhelmed by data density.

Identify minerals and rock structures locally on your device with neuromorphically accelerated neural networks.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Model Profile Choice Access the AI Configuration settings to select the model profile that matches your hardware. The application uses a custom MobileNetV4 architecture trained on geological textures. For devices with modern NPUs, select 'Premium INT4' quantization, which runs using Qualcomm QNN or MediaTek APU runtimes for rapid inference under 80 milliseconds. For standard devices, 'Standard INT8' utilizes the GPU via WebGL or Vulkan. For older or entry-level hardware, select 'Legacy INT8' which uses optimized CPU fallbacks. Choosing the correct profile ensures smooth execution without draining your battery or causing memory crashes. The app automatically runs a brief performance diagnostic on first launch to recommend the most suitable profile, but you can manually adjust this setting at any time to balance battery consumption and inference speed.
2. Multi-Scale Tiling (21-Pass) Point your camera at a fresh, clean rock surface. When you tap 'Analyze', the local AI engine initiates a 21-Pass Multi-Scale Tiling algorithm. The engine captures a global view to analyze overall structure and layering, divides the frame into 4 regional tiles to assess macro-texture and phenocryst distribution, and then runs 16 micro-structural passes to analyze grain size and crystal boundaries. The engine combines the predictions from all 21 passes using a weighted confidence voting system, providing a highly reliable mineralogical classification directly on your screen. This multi-scale approach is designed to replicate the workflow of a geologist using a hand lens, examining the sample at different magnification levels. It significantly reduces false classifications caused by local surface variations, weathering, or dust, delivering laboratory-grade results in seconds.
3. Scale Metrics Verification For a rock photograph to be scientifically valuable, it must include a reference scale. Place a ruler, scale card, coin, or geological hammer next to the rock sample in the frame. The LocalAiManager runs a real-time object detection model to detect the scale marker. If the model successfully identifies the scale object, it calibrates the pixels to actual millimeters and displays a green checkmark. This enables the app to calculate the absolute dimensions of grains, fossils, or veins, adding valuable quantitative data to your digital field notebook. If the automatic scale detection fails, you can manually define the scale by drawing a line across a known object (like a coin or card) in the image editor, ensuring that every captured geological texture remains calibrated for future analysis.

Organize observations inside folders and export data to professional GIS tools (QGIS, ArcGIS) or shareable PDF reports.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Organizing Folders Access the Collection Manager screen to organize your geological field observations. You can create custom project folders and assign them distinctive color-coded tags for quick identification. The interface supports intuitive drag-and-drop operations, allowing you to easily move observations between folders. Additionally, the collection screen includes a QR Code scanner. You can print QR codes and attach them to physical sample bags in the field; scanning the code in the app instantly retrieves the corresponding digital entry and spatial metadata. This physical-to-digital link prevents sample mix-ups in the laboratory and allows you to quickly update sample statuses or add lab analysis results (like thin-section descriptions or geochemistry) directly to the original field observation entry.
2. Selecting Export Formats Tap the Export button at the top of your collection view to open the file generation menu. The app supports a wide range of industry-standard GIS and database formats. Select 'CSV' for simple spreadsheet analysis in Excel, 'GeoJSON' for web mapping applications, or 'GPKG' (GeoPackage) for full integration into professional GIS suites like QGIS and ArcGIS. You can also export 'KML/KMZ' files, which are ideal for visualizing your field track and outcrops in 3D using Google Earth, with all associated metadata fully mapped. The export engine allows you to select specific folders or filter entries by date before generating files, enabling you to export only the data relevant to a specific client or research paper, and keeping your file sizes manageable.
3. Generating PDF Field Sheets To share your findings with colleagues or include them in an academic report, select 'Generate PDF Report' from the export menu. You can customize the report template and select the layout language. The PDF engine compiles a professional, publication-ready document featuring a clean layout. It automatically embeds map snippets showing outcrop locations, coordinates, chronostratigraphic classifications, structural compass readings, and high-resolution photographs with their corresponding scale bars. The generated PDF is fully optimized for print or digital distribution, complete with clickable internal links and table of contents, allowing readers to navigate through complex geological survey results on their tablets or computers.

CSV Export Schema Structure

id,label,type,latitude,longitude,altitude,ics_stage,strike,dip_dir,dip,hcl_reaction,grain_size,description,date_created

Find answers to the most common technical questions and problems encountered during geological field operations.