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fault plane

American  

noun

Geology.
  1. fault6


Etymology

Origin of fault plane

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The abundance of fluids within these tiny holes reduces friction along the fault plane, allowing the two rock blocks on either side to slide past each other more easily and generate small earthquakes.

From Science Daily • Dec. 11, 2023

The grinding of the two sides against each other on the fault plane sends out waves of motion of the rock in every direction.

From Scientific American • Feb. 17, 2023

This offset propagates along the fault, which is known as the fault plane.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2017

Slickensides are polished, often grooved surfaces along the fault plane created by friction during the movement.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2017

The angle which the fault plane makes with the vertical is the HADE.

From The Elements of Geology by Norton, William Harmon