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Dip identification and geology

The angle between a geological surface bedding plane, fault, foliation, or vein and the horizontal, measured in the direction of steepest descent. Dip is one of two measurements used to describe the orientation of a planar feature in three-dimensional space the other being strike . Dip is expressed as an angle from 0° horizontal to 90° vertical and a compass direction indicating which way the surface slopes. Field: structural geology. Example: Sedimentary beds on the east limb of the Bighorn Basin anticline in Wyoming dip 35° to the east, while beds on the west limb dip 25° to the west.. Related terms: Strike, Dip direction, Attitude, Clinometer.

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Sources, scope & corrections

These authoritative resources support category-level nomenclature, terminology, identification methods, and safety. When a specimen-specific safety warning appears, the public-health source listed here directly supports that precaution. They are not line-by-line citations for every other property on this entry, and natural specimens vary.

Editorial owner
GeoMiner
Last updated
2026-03-30T15:19:41.999576+00:00
Review status
Published; not independently peer-reviewed
  • USGS Thesaurus — U.S. Geological Survey. Controlled earth-science terminology used to describe USGS information resources.
  • Glossary of Geologic Terms — U.S. National Park Service. Geologic definitions prepared by the NPS Geologic Resources Inventory.

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Common questions

What does Dip mean in geology?
The angle between a geological surface bedding plane, fault, foliation, or vein and the horizontal, measured in the direction of steepest descent. Dip is one of two measurements used to describe the orientation of a planar feature in three-dimensional space the other being strike . Dip is expressed as an angle from 0° horizontal to 90° vertical and a compass direction indicating which way the surface slopes.
What is an example of Dip?
Sedimentary beds on the east limb of the Bighorn Basin anticline in Wyoming dip 35° to the east, while beds on the west limb dip 25° to the west.
Which earth-science field uses the term Dip?
Dip is used in structural geology.
Which terms are related to Dip?
Related terms in this reference are Strike, Dip direction, Attitude, Clinometer.

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