ABSTRACT
Clast fabrics in the coarse borders of sorted patterned-ground features have been descriptively characterized in a variety of ways, but have rarely been measured or analyzed statistically. Three-dimensional analyses of rock fragments in the borders of a large sorted stripe reveal significant departures from uniformity. Most a-axes are oriented subparallel to the axis of the stripe and dip gently, but have no discernable tendency for up- or downslope imbrication. In contrast, b-axes are steeply inclined, indicating compression due to expansion of fine centers as autumn freezeback proceeds. Particle orientation at the stripe's downslope margin does not differ significantly from uniformity.