Kinematic analysis is the reconstruction of movements that take place during the formation and deformation of rocks.
Of main interest is the analysis of secondary structures formed in solid rock as a result of crustal deformation.
We also apply kinematic analysis to the interpretation of movements that accompany the primary formation of rocks.
Clues to formational movements are preserved in primary structures that arise in sediments before the sediments are consolidated into sedimentary rocks, or in extrusions or intrusions of magma before the magma becomes frozen into volcanic or intrusive igneous rocks.