Pressure ridge explained

A pressure ridge is a topographic ridge produced by compression.

Depending on the affected material, "pressure ridge" may refer to:

• Pressure ridge (ice), between ice floes^[1]
• Pressure ridge (lava), in a lava flow^[1]
• Pressure ridge (seismic), in a fault zone^[1]

In a seismic context, a pressure ridge can range in size from a few-metres-long mound, to a kilometres-long lateral ridge.^[2] It is the result of one or several earthquakes occurring on certain types of fault geometries, such as compressional bends or stepovers along strike-slip faults.^{[2] [3]} A pressure ridge can for instance be the result of a deep-set obstruction on the fault plane, which leads to material being pushed up during earthquakes.^[2]

See also

• Ridge (meteorology), an elongated area of relatively high atmospheric pressure

Notes and References

1. Book: Glossary of Geology . American Geological Institute . Neuendorf . K.K.E. . Mehl . J.P. Jr. . Jackson . J.A. . 2005 . Alexandria, Virginia . 514 . 978-0922152896 . 5th .
2. Web site: Pressure Ridge: Dragon's Back Pressure Ridge, Carrizo Plain National Monument . OpenTopography: High-Resolution Topography Data and Tools . . . 18 August 2022.
3. Web site: Štěpančíková . Petra . Transpression; Pressure ridge . Tectonic geomorphology and paleoseismology . Czech Academy of Sciences, Department of Engineering Geology, Institute of Rock Structure and Mechanics . Prague, Czech Republic . 9 June 2022.