strike-slip fault: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical/Scientific
Quick answer
What does “strike-slip fault” mean?
A type of fault where two blocks of rock slide horizontally past each other, parallel to the fault line.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A type of fault where two blocks of rock slide horizontally past each other, parallel to the fault line.
In geology, a fracture in the Earth's crust where the dominant displacement is horizontal and parallel to the strike of the fault surface, often associated with transform plate boundaries and significant seismic activity.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Spelling conventions follow standard UK/US patterns for compound adjectives (hyphenation consistent).
Connotations
Identical technical connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in general discourse but standard within the field of geology in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “strike-slip fault” in a Sentence
The [geological feature] is a strike-slip fault.A strike-slip fault [verb: runs, extends, forms] along...Earthquakes occur along the strike-slip fault.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “strike-slip fault” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The fault is primarily strike-slipping.
- The region has been strike-slipping for millennia.
American English
- The tectonic motion is strike-slipping.
- The plates continue to strike-slip along the boundary.
adverb
British English
- The blocks moved strike-slippily. (Extremely rare/constructed)
- The fault behaves strike-slippingly. (Extremely rare/constructed)
American English
- The plates shifted strike-slip. (Rare adverbial use)
- It moved predominantly strike-slip. (Rare)
adjective
British English
- The strike-slip mechanism was dominant.
- They observed strike-slip displacement.
American English
- The strike-slip motion was measured.
- A strike-slip event triggered the quake.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in geology, earth science, seismology, and civil engineering textbooks and research.
Everyday
Virtually never used except in news reports about major earthquakes.
Technical
The primary context. Used to describe fault mechanics, seismic hazard assessment, and tectonic models.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “strike-slip fault”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “strike-slip fault”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “strike-slip fault”
- Pronouncing it as 'strike-slip fault' with even stress on all words (correct: primary stress on 'strike').
- Confusing it with 'dip-slip fault'.
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'The plates strike-slip').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, the San Andreas Fault is a classic example of a right-lateral strike-slip fault, where the Pacific Plate moves northward relative to the North American Plate.
In a strike-slip fault, blocks move horizontally past each other. In a normal fault, blocks move vertically, with one block sliding down relative to the other, typically due to extensional forces.
Generally, pure strike-slip motion does not displace large volumes of water vertically and is less likely to generate significant tsunamis compared to thrust faults. However, complex faults or those with some vertical component can.
In a right-lateral (or dextral) strike-slip fault, if you stand on one side of the fault, the block on the opposite side appears to have moved to your right.
A type of fault where two blocks of rock slide horizontally past each other, parallel to the fault line.
Strike-slip fault is usually technical/scientific in register.
Strike-slip fault: in British English it is pronounced /ˈstraɪk slɪp fɔːlt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈstraɪk slɪp fɔːlt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None. The term is purely technical.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine two hands striking (STRIKE) each other and then slipping (SLIP) past sideways—this is the horizontal motion of a strike-slip fault.
Conceptual Metaphor
A FAULT IS A SEAM (where the Earth's crust is sewn together but can slide).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary movement in a strike-slip fault?