How to Record Your First Geological Field Point in the Field with RockGeo

RockGeo is purpose-built to operate completely without internet connectivity while on the outcrop. However, to guarantee cryptographic profile ownership and secure your field data, the first launch of the application requires an internet connection for Google account authentication.

Upon reaching the outcrop station, open the map view in your active project. Verify that device Location services are set to high accuracy.

• The map displays your real-time position with a directional beacon and an accuracy circle measured in meters.
• Wait until the accuracy circle stabilizes (under open sky, typical commercial smartphones settle between 3 to 6 meters).
• Tap the central crosshair button to lock onto the current GNSS fix, or long-press anywhere on the map to pin a distant geological contact or ridge line.

Confirming the point location opens the digital station inspector. Data fields correspond directly to standardized field geology taxonomy:

• Station ID: sequentially auto-numbered (e.g., P-001, P-002), with full freedom to customize to your institutional survey format.
• Lithology & Classification: search and select from primary rock families (igneous, metamorphic, sedimentary) and local stratigraphy.
• Macroscopic description: text field to document grain size, weathered vs. fresh color, primary mineralogy, alteration facies, and bedding contacts.
• Structural measurements: dedicated button to record planar strike/dip (or dip/dip direction) and linear pitch/trend for planes, joints, and lineations.

A chronic flaw of traditional paper mapping is decoupling notebook observations from camera rolls. In RockGeo, all multimedia is spatially pinned to the station record:

• Tap the Camera icon to capture outcrop overviews and macro close-ups with geological scales (coin, hammer, or scale card).
• Tap the Microphone icon to dictate voice memos when scrambling steep talus or handling cold sample picks.
• Media files are timestamped, geotagged, and stored locally in app-isolated internal memory.

Tap the Save button at the bottom of the card. The station immediately renders as a labeled marker on your map canvas.

To independently verify offline reliability:

1. Switch your device to Airplane Mode.
2. Force-close the RockGeo app from your Android recent apps switcher.
3. Relaunch the app and reopen your project.
4. Point P-001, its spatial coordinates, lithological classification, and attached photos will remain fully intact in local SQLite storage.