sinistral | Energy Glossary

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sinistral

1. adj. [Geology]

Pertaining to a strike-slip or left-lateral fault in which the block across the fault moves to the left; also called a sinistral strike-slip fault. If it moves to the right, the relative motion is described as dextral. Counterclockwise rotation or spiraling is also described as sinistral.

Antonyms: dextral

See related terms: faultstrike-slip fault

Dextral and sinistral offset in strike-slip faults.