A large number of methods have been described which relate the shape of a normal fault at depth to the shape of a sedimentary horizon in its hanging wall. Unfortunately, the calculated fault geometry is strongly dependent upon the method used. Here, arguments are put forward in favor of a general two-dimensional kinematic model which assumes that the hanging wall deforms by a combination of arbitrarily inclined simple shear and differential compaction. The method should be applicable to areas where it can be assumed that the fault plane does not change shape as deformation proceeds. This assumption may not always be valid, especially in the case of large-scale, basement-extending normal faults. Fault geometry, the inclination of simple shear, and compaction parameters may all be determined from N beds using a simple inversion scheme based on the general method. Throughout it is assumed that hanging wall and footwall stratigraphies are accurately known, through uncertainty in either could be included as a bounded variable within a formal inversion scheme. The most important feature of the model is that it is testable. It has first been tested on synthetic data using a range of fault geometries. The results of such modeling are encouraging and imply that all unknown parameters including fault geometry can, in general, be uniquely determined provided that the geometries of two or more beds within the hanging wall are known. The greater the number of beds used, the greater the degree of confidence in the solution. The method has also been applied to published sand-box models with surprisingly good results. Ultimately, it is hoped that the method can be applied routinely to depth-converted seismic reflection data. The preliminary applications presented here suggest that bulk, antithetically inclined, simple shear combined with differential compaction provide a good approximation for hanging wall deformation. In the future, the scheme will be generalized to allow for deformation in three dimensions. Other complexities such as horizontal and vertical variation in the degree of compaction could also be included, although at this stage the data do not appear to justify them. ¿ American Geophysical Union 1992