Äärdislokatsioon

äärdislokatsioon is a term used in geology to describe a geological fault where the primary displacement is horizontal. This type of fault is also known as a strike-slip fault. The movement along the fault plane is parallel to the strike of the fault, meaning that the two sides of the fault move past each other sideways.

There are two main types of äärdislokatsioon: sinistral and dextral. In a sinistral (or left-lateral) strike-slip fault, the block on the opposite side of the fault moves to the left relative to the observer. Conversely, in a dextral (or right-lateral) strike-slip fault, the block on the opposite side moves to the right. The San Andreas Fault in California is a well-known example of a dextral strike-slip fault.

Äärdislokatsioon occurs when compressional or tensional forces acting on the Earth's crust are not perpendicular to the fault. Instead, they are oblique, causing a shearing motion. This shearing motion results in significant horizontal displacement over geological time, which can lead to the formation of distinctive landforms such as offset stream channels, linear valleys, and scarps. The motion along these faults can be gradual and continuous, or it can occur in sudden slips, which are the cause of earthquakes. The study of äärdislokatsioon is crucial for understanding seismic hazards and the tectonic evolution of regions.