The shale smear factor remains constant between the offset terminations because it does not depend on smear distance (although lateral variations in fault throw would have a corresponding effect on the calculated SSF). SSF thus models the profile of abrasion-type smears. From a study of 80 faults (excluding composite smears), Lindsay et al.<ref name=Lindsay /> concluded that shale smears may become incomplete for an SSF greater than 7. Smaller values of SSF are more likely to correspond to continuous smears and therefore to a sealing layer on the fault surface. The values of SSF are not additive for compound smears because thin shales give higher SSF and dominate the sum. In such cases, a simple application of SSF values would take the minimum value (most sealing) from the relevant shale beds at that point on the fault.
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The shale smear factor remains constant between the offset terminations because it does not depend on smear distance (although [[lateral]] variations in fault throw would have a corresponding effect on the calculated SSF). SSF thus models the profile of abrasion-type smears. From a study of 80 faults (excluding composite smears), Lindsay et al.<ref name=Lindsay /> concluded that shale smears may become incomplete for an SSF greater than 7. Smaller values of SSF are more likely to correspond to continuous smears and therefore to a sealing layer on the fault surface. The values of SSF are not additive for compound smears because thin shales give higher SSF and dominate the sum. In such cases, a simple application of SSF values would take the minimum value (most sealing) from the relevant shale beds at that point on the fault.