Riedel Shears

This photo is looking straight down onto a fault zone. The Riedel shears (also called R shears) are the small right-lateral faults which are gently inclined to the strike of the main fault. Their presence suggests overall right-lateral motion on the zone.

Another example...

Riedel shear immediately below Badwater Turtleback fault, Death Valley, CA. R shear suggests overall top-to-right motion which accords with evidence elsewhere along the fault. Note reddish gouge zone along fault surface.

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