Horst (geology)

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In physical geography and geology, a horst is the raised fault block bounded by normal faults or graben.[1] A horst is formed from extension of the Earth's crust. The raised block is a portion of the crust that generally remains stationary or is uplifted while the land has dropped on either side. Horst is German for heap.

The Vosges Mountains in France and Black Forest in Germany are examples of horsts, as are the Table, Jura and the Dole mountains. The word is also applied to larger areas, such as the Russian Plain, Arabia, India and Central South Africa, where the continent remains stable, with horizontal table-land stratification, in distinction to folded regions such as the Eurasian chains.

Horsts and hydrocarbon exploration[edit]


See also[edit]


  1. ^ Fossen H. Structural Geology. Cambridge University Press. p. 154. ISBN 9781139488617.