hanging wall

noun

1. Mining. the underside of the wall rock overlying a vein or bed of ore. Compare footwall ( def 1 ).
2. Geology. a mass of rock overhanging a fault plane.

hanging wall

noun

1. the rocks on the upper side of an inclined fault plane or mineral vein Compare footwall

hanging wall

1. The block of rock lying above an inclined geologic fault plane.
2. See more at faultCompare footwall

Word History and Origins

Origin of hanging wall¹

First recorded in 1770–80

Example Sentences

Normal faults, of which Figure 184 is an example, hade to the downthrow; the hanging wall has gone down.

From Project Gutenberg

He reached for his carbide lamp, hooked to a small chink of the hanging wall, and then pulled his hat over his bulging forehead.

From Project Gutenberg

He rode at the helm into the first hanging wall of foam, erect and triumphant!

From Project Gutenberg

The country rock lying immediately above the reef is the “hanging wall,” and that immediately below, the “foot wall.”

From Project Gutenberg

Thrust faults hade to the upthrow; the hanging wall has gone up.

From Project Gutenberg