information:classification, structural:reformatting
Geology and glaciology

The output for the orientation tensor is in the three orthogonal (perpendicular) axes of space. The three eigenvectors are ordered v 1, v 2, v 3 {\displaystyle \mathbf {v} _{1},\mathbf {v} _{2},\mathbf {v} _{3}} by their eigenvalues E 1 ≥ E 2 ≥ E 3 {\displaystyle E_{1}\geq E_{2}\geq E_{3}}; v 1 {\displaystyle \mathbf {v} _{1}} then is the primary orientation/dip of clast, v 2 {\displaystyle \mathbf {v} _{2}} is the secondary and v 3 {\displaystyle \mathbf {v} _{3}} is the tertiary, in terms of strength. The clast orientation is defined as the direction of the eigenvector, on a compass rose of 360°. Dip is measured as the eigenvalue, the modulus of the tensor: this is valued from 0° (no dip) to 90° (vertical). The relative values of E 1 {\displaystyle E_{1}}, E 2 {\displaystyle E_{2}}, and E 3 {\displaystyle E_{3}} are dictated by the nature of the sediment's fabric. If E 1 = E 2 = E 3 {\displaystyle E_{1}=E_{2}=E_{3}}, the fabric is said to be isotropic. If E 1 = E 2 > E 3 {\displaystyle E_{1}=E_{2}>E_{3}}, the fabric is said to be planar. If E 1 > E 2 > E 3 {\displaystyle E_{1}>E_{2}>E_{3}}, the fabric is said to be linear.