Focal Mechanism Explorer

Interactive Educational Beachball Visualization Tool
Strike °
Direction of fault trace from north (0-360°)
Dip °
Angle of fault plane from horizontal (0-90°)
Rake °
Direction of slip on fault plane (-180 to 180°)
Fault Type
Strike-slip
About Fault Types
Select a preset to learn about different fault types and see their characteristic beachball patterns.
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Depth: 10 km | Legend: ● UP ○ DOWN ◐ ?
Takeoff angles use a simplified 1-D model. For research-grade polarity analysis, use ray-tracing through IASP91 or AK135.
Focal Mechanism Strike-slip
3D Diagram
Step 1 / 4
Focal Mechanism Details
The beachball diagram shows the orientation of fault motion during an earthquake. Black quadrants represent compression, while white quadrants represent tension.
Which Plane is the Fault?
Nodal Plane 1:
Strike: 0° | Dip: 45° | Rake: 0°
Nodal Plane 2 (Auxiliary):
Strike: 90° | Dip: 90° | Rake: 180°

Click to select the fault plane. The 3D diagram will update.

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