1. n. [Geology]

A type of fault whose surface is typically vertical or nearly so. The motion along a strike-slip fault is parallel to the strike of the fault surface, and the fault blocks move sideways past each other. A strike-slip fault in which the block across the fault moves to the right is described as a dextral strike-slip fault. If it moves left, the relative motion is described as sinistral. Local deformation near bends in strike-slip faults can produce pull-apart basins and grabens. Flower structures are another by-product of strike-slip faults. A wrench fault is a type of strike-slip fault in which the fault surface is nearly vertical.

See related terms: basin,  fault,  flower structure,  graben,  graben,  offset,  strike,  transform fault,  transpression,  transtension,  wrench fault