Fault Contacts --to see a variety of faults, click here

* Typically cut bedding or other features on both sides of the fault.
--compare with unconformities.

* May show abundant small-scale faults.

* May show exposed fault surfaces.

* May contain fault gouge.

* May show other accompanying "fault rocks" such as breccias or cataclasites.

* May show increased fracturing.

* May show evidence of hydrothermal alteration.

Ductile Shear Zones. The criteria above generally apply to brittle fault zones. Ductile shear zones can also cause large-scale translations of material, but do not involve the loss of cohesion across the zone. Ductile shear zones are best known in rocks that have deformed under high temperatures. We will study ductile shear zones in some detail during the second half of the course.

*Click here for a view of a small ductile shear zone.

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