Gravity Fault (Noun)
Meaning
An inclined fault in which the hanging wall appears to have slipped downward relative to the footwall.
Classification
Nouns denoting natural objects (not man-made).
Examples
- The study of the mountain range revealed evidence of a gravity fault that occurred millions of years ago, shaping the landscape as we see it today.
- The hanging wall of the gravity fault had clearly slipped downward, exposing a vast section of older rock formations beneath.
- After analyzing the data, the geologists agreed that the unusual patterns of deformation in the rocks were indicative of a gravity fault.
- A notable example of a gravity fault can be observed in the steep valleys carved out of the mountainside, where massive blocks of rock have slid away.
- By examining the offset strata on either side of the gravity fault, researchers were able to determine the exact timing and extent of the tectonic movement.