First order splay faults, as defined here, are secondary faults that form at acute angles symmetrically on either side of a primary fault of the same sense of shear. We show that these faults form when the primary fault becomes critically misaligned with the principal stresses such that splay fault formation, on the optimum plane for faulting, is favored. First order splay faults, in distinctio...

We propose a new approach to quantifying fault system geometry, using an objective fit of the fault geometry to a test function, specifically here a fault branch. Fitting a Y-shaped object using a cost function to dextral faults in California, we find a number of significant results arising from use of a a systematic, objective, quantitative approach. (1) The largest angle of the branch structu...

We propose a new approach to quantifying fault system geometry, using an objective fit of the fault geometry to a test function, specifically here a fault branch. Fitting a “Y” shaped object using a cost function to dextral faults in California, we find a number of significant results arising from using a systematic, objective, quantitative approach. (1) The largest angle of the branch structur...

Earth fissure structures are a common type of geohazard associated with geotechnical surface ruptures that can occur almost anywhere on the ground due to variety different mechanisms, and in most cases, these hazardous cracks have resulted severe damage infrastructure. Investigation structural characteristics fissures an active tectonic area (such as Birjand eastern Iran) improve our understand...