A rift lake is a lake formed as a result of subsidence related to movement on faults within a rift zone, an area of extensional tectonics in the continental crust. They are often found within rift valleys and may be very deep. Rift lakes may be bounded by large steep cliffs along the fault margins.

Faulted southeastern side of Svyatoy Nos peninsula, Lake Baikalactive faulting shown by faceted spurs.
Artificial rendering of the Albertine Rift showing four of its rift lakes

Examples

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References

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  1. ^ Stones of Princeton
  2. ^ Marshall, J.E.A. & Hewett, A.J. 2003. Devonian. In: Evans, D., Graham, C., Armour, A. & Bathurst, P. (eds): The Millennium Atlas: petroleum geology of the central and northern North Sea. London, the Geological Society of London, 65–81.
  3. ^ Lake Vostok Workshop (1998). "Lake Vostok: A Curiosity or a Focus for Interdisciplinary Study?" (PDF). p. 83. Retrieved 29 January 2010.