Map Patterns of Low-Angle faults

Part of the Yost Quadrangle, north western Utah. Although the faults in this example are not horizontal like the bedding shown in the other examples, we can see that they dip at low angles because the fault traces tend to follow the topography. Look, for example, at the fault at points A and B. Immediately north of A, the fault swings far into the valley to make a prominent V that is parallel to the contour lines. At B, the fault wraps around a hilltop. Note also, however, that the fault can't be horizontal, as its trace lies at a higher elevation at B than at A.

Lewis Thrust, Montana
This map above shows the Lewis Thrust in northern Glacier National Park, MT. The Lewis Thrust must be nearly horizontal at Chief Mountain because it wraps entirely around the mountain. This type of feature is called a klippe--a piece of the hangingwall that is stranded from the rest of the fault by erosion. Notice that there are three smaller klippen to the south-southwest of Chief Mountain. To see photographs of Chief Mountain, taken from locations A and B on the map, click here.

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