What is the term for the side of the fault that is located above the fault plane?

The side of the fault that is situated above the fault plane is referred to as the hanging wall. This terminology comes from mining practices, where miners would metaphorically "hang" their lamps or tools above their heads, designating the area above the fault as the hanging wall. In contrast, the foot wall is the section located below the fault plane and is considered the surface that a person would stand on if they were positioned beneath the fault.

Understanding the distinction between the hanging wall and the foot wall is critical in geology, especially when studying faulting and the movement of tectonic plates. The movement along the fault line can influence how these two sections interact, leading to various geological formations and understanding risk assessments for earthquakes. The fault line simply refers to the fracture or zone of weakness where the movement occurs, and does not designate a specific side of the fault.