What is rake geology?

Rake is a term used in geology to describe the angle between a rock surface and a horizontal plane. It is measured in degrees and is used to determine the direction and amount of past movement along a fault or fracture surface. Rock surfaces that display a consistent rake angle can provide evidence of the direction and magnitude of forces that have acted on the rock. This information can be used to reconstruct geological events, such as earthquakes or landslides, and to understand the mechanics of rock deformation. Rake angles can also be used to identify the orientation of fractures in a rock mass and to predict the behavior of the rock in response to stress.