overthrust

American  

[oh-ver-thruhst] / ˈoʊ vərˌθrʌst /

noun

Geology.

1. a thrust fault with a low dip and a large slip.

2. a thrust fault in which the hanging wall was the one that moved (opposed to underthrust).

---

overthrust British  

/ ˈəʊvəˌθrʌst /

noun

1. geology a reverse fault in which the rocks on the upper surface of a fault plane have moved over the rocks on the lower surface Compare underthrust

---

Etymology

Origin of overthrust

First recorded in 1880–85; over- + thrust

Example Sentences

But in the past two years, new geological studies have indicated that the overthrust formations may actually extend at least 100 miles farther east than previously believed.

From Time Magazine Archive

Ten minutes into the maneuver, Young realized that he had overthrust and was headed into an orbit aiming him several miles behind and above the Agena.

From Time Magazine Archive

The high point was right where the undercrust stopped, back a dozen miles or more from the edge of the overthrust, so that became the Divide.

From Boy Scouts in Glacier Park The Adventures of Two Young Easterners in the Heart of the High Rockies by Eaton, Walter Prichard

The overthrust edge cracked lengthwise, this time west of the continental divide all the way from the Canadian line southward nearly to Marias Pass.

From The Book of the National Parks by Yard, Robert Sterling

Perhaps thousands of years after the overthrust was accomplished another tremendous faulting still further modified the landscape of to-day.

From The Book of the National Parks by Yard, Robert Sterling