footwall

American  

[foot-wawl] / ˈfʊtˌwɔl /

noun

1. Mining. the top of the rock stratum underlying a vein or bed of ore.

2. Geology. a mass of rock lying beneath a fault plane.

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footwall British  

/ ˈfʊtˌwɔːl /

noun

1. the rocks on the lower side of an inclined fault plane or mineral vein Compare hanging wall

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footwall Scientific  

/ ft′wôl′ /

1. The block of rock lying under an inclined geologic fault plane.

2. See more at fault Compare hanging wall

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Etymology

Origin of footwall

First recorded in 1640–50; foot + wall

Compare meaning

How does footwall compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• hanging wall vs. footwall

Example Sentences

The direction in which the head of the vein comes into the light, or the direction toward which the tail extends, is indicated by its footwall and hangingwall.

From Project Gutenberg

The total area of ore measured on the footwall was 785 acres.

From Project Gutenberg

These twin disadvantages usually warrant a straight incline in the footwall.

From Project Gutenberg

A step—two, then: "Look—there—over by the footwall!"

From Project Gutenberg

The great weight of these joined timbers is sustained by stout beams placed at intervals, which are deeply set into hitches in the footwall and hangingwall, but are inclined.

From Project Gutenberg