Understanding Amphitokal Faults: A Key to Unlocking Complex Tectonic Activity

Amphitokal is a term used in geology to describe a type of fault that is characterized by a central zone of shear deformation, flanked by two zones of normal faulting. The term "amphitokal" comes from the Greek words "amphi," meaning "on both sides," and "kokal," meaning "shear."

In an amphitokal fault, there are two main fault planes that are parallel to each other and intersect at a right angle to the direction of shear deformation. These fault planes are separated by a central zone of shear deformation, where rocks are subjected to both normal and reverse slippage. The two zones of normal faulting flanking the central shear zone can be either extensional or compressive in nature, depending on the tectonic setting.

Amphitokal faults are typically found in areas of complex tectonic activity, such as at the boundaries between tectonic plates or within zones of crustal thickening. They can be associated with a variety of geological phenomena, including earthquakes, folding, and metamorphism.