What is the term for the compass orientation of a rock layer's intersection with a horizontal plane?

The term that describes the compass orientation of a rock layer as it intersects with a horizontal plane is "strike." Essentially, the strike refers to the direction of a line formed by the intersection of a rock layer with a horizontal surface, and it is commonly expressed in degrees relative to north (0 degrees). This measurement is crucial in geology as it helps geologists and earth scientists understand the orientation of rock formations, which can inform about the geological history, potential resources, and hazards in a particular area.

In contrast, dip refers to the angle at which the rock layer inclines relative to the horizontal plane but does not provide information about the horizontal orientation. Fault refers to a fracture or zone of fractures in the Earth's crust along which there has been significant displacement, while angle is a more general term and does not specifically apply to the orientation of rock layers. Thus, strike is the precise term needed to describe this specific aspect of geological mapping.