ASBOG Practice Exam

How is strike separation measured?

1. Up and down

2. Across the strike of the fault

3. In a diagonal line

4. No specific measurement

The correct answer is: Across the strike of the fault

Strike separation is specifically measured across the strike of a fault. This concept refers to the horizontal distance between the endpoints of a fault along the direction of the fault's strike, which is the direction of the line formed by the intersection of a horizontal plane with an inclined surface. Strike separation is essential in geologic and structural analysis because it helps define the amount of lateral movement that has occurred along the fault. Measuring separation in this manner is crucial for understanding the movement and behavior of geological faults during tectonic activities. Other measurement techniques that don't relate to the strike, such as vertical or diagonal lines, would not provide the necessary accuracy or relevance to the understanding of fault mechanics and are therefore not applicable to the concept of strike separation.