fault line

noun

Geology.

1. the intersection of a fault with the surface of the earth or other plane of reference.

fault line

noun

1. Also called: fault plane. geology the surface of a fault fracture along which the rocks have been displaced

2. a potentially disruptive division or area of contention

   Europe remains the main fault line in the Tory Party

Word History and Origins

Origin of fault line¹

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

There have always been fault lines within the rainbow coalition.

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A royal source said this was a significantly different moment when there were such clear "fault lines" exposed in Prince Andrew's version of events.

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Made up of thousands of islands, the Philippines sits in the so-called Ring of Fire, a seismic arc of volcanoes and fault lines around the Pacific basin that also includes Indonesia and Japan.

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Afghanistan is very prone to earthquakes because of its location on top of a number of fault lines where the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates meet.

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Yet, Brexit is a major fault line that sharply distinguishes those who do and do not support Reform.

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Related Words

• rift