ANDERSONIAN FAULTS
E M Anderson (1951) divided all faults into three principal types
depending upon whether the maximum principal compressive stress, s
1 intermediate
principal compressive stress s2
or least principal compressive stress s3
was in the earth's gravitational field. If the
maximum principal compressive stress is vertical, grabens result and the
crust is extended. When this is horizontal but the least principal
compressive stress is vertical, crustal thickening and shortening occurs
and thrust faults are generated as in most of the orogenic belts. However,
if both maximum and minimum principal stresses are horizontal or
tangential to the earth's surface and intermediate principal stress
vertical, then there is no appreciable extension or shortening of the
earth's crust and transcurrent faults or strike slip faults are generated.
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