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Geology & Earth Sciences vocabulary · Maps & Fieldwork

Strike and dip

Meaning in geology & earth sciences, with examples

phraseCommon term

In geology & earth sciences, strike and dip means: Two measurements that describe the orientation of a rock layer or fault: strike is the compass direction of a horizontal line on it, and dip is its angle of tilt.

In Turkish: doğrultu ve eğim, doğrultu-eğim

How it is used

Measured in the field with a geological compass and clinometer, written in the notebook and plotted on maps with a T-shaped symbol. Written in different styles, such as '045/30 SE' or 'N45E, 30SE'. Dip is always measured at right angles to strike.

Example sentences

  1. Measure the strike and dip of the bedding at every outcrop.

  2. The strike and dip readings on both sides of the valley show that the beds are folded.

Common collocations

  • measure strike and dip
  • strike and dip symbol
  • dip angle
  • dip direction
  • strike line
  • geological mapA map that shows which rock units occur at or just below the surface, together with their ages, boundaries, faults, folds and strike and dip measurements.
  • fieldworkWork done outdoors at real sites, such as observing, measuring, mapping and sampling rocks, soils or rivers, rather than in a laboratory or office.
  • outcropA place where bedrock appears at the surface, not covered by soil or plants, so that geologists can see and study it directly.
  • foldA bend or curve in layers of rock, formed when the rocks are slowly squeezed by tectonic forces without breaking.
  • faultA fracture in the Earth's crust along which the rocks on either side have moved. Sudden slip on a fault causes an earthquake.

More terms: Maps & Fieldwork

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