footwall

American  

[foot-wawl] / ˈfʊtˌwɔl /

noun

1. Mining. the top of the rock stratum underlying a vein or bed of ore.

2. Geology. a mass of rock lying beneath a fault plane.

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footwall British  

/ ˈfʊtˌwɔːl /

noun

1. the rocks on the lower side of an inclined fault plane or mineral vein Compare hanging wall

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footwall Scientific  

/ ft′wôl′ /

1. The block of rock lying under an inclined geologic fault plane.

2. See more at fault Compare hanging wall

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Etymology

Origin of footwall

First recorded in 1640–50; foot + wall

Compare meaning

How does footwall compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• hanging wall vs. footwall

Example Sentences

Normal faults form when the hanging wall moves down relative to the footwall.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2017

In reverse faults, compressional forces cause the hanging wall to move up relative to the footwall.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2017

The terms hanging wall and footwall in the diagrams apply to situations where the fault is not vertical.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015

If the fault develops in a situation of extension, then it will be a normal fault, because the extension allows the hanging wall to slide down relative to the footwall in response to gravity.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015

The total area of ore measured on the footwall was 785 acres.

From The Economic Aspect of Geology by Leith, C. K. (Charles Kenneth)