Question

Compare the three basic kinds of faults.

Short answer

The three basic types of faults are normal faults, reverse faults, and strike-slip faults. Normal faults are caused by tensional stress and occur at divergent boundaries, with the hanging wall moving downward relative to the footwall. Reverse faults, also known as thrust faults, are caused by compressional stress and occur at convergent boundaries, resulting in the hanging wall moving upward relative to the footwall and potentially forming mountain ranges. Strike-slip faults are caused by shearing stress, resulting in horizontal movement and little to no vertical displacement, and are common at transform boundaries.

Step-by-step solution

Introduction to Faults

Faults are fractures in the Earth's crust where movement has occurred. They are usually associated with the boundaries of tectonic plates, where forces cause the rock to break. There are three basic types of faults: normal faults, reverse faults, and strike-slip faults. Let's describe each type and identify their differences.

Normal Faults

Normal faults occur when the hanging wall (the block of rock above the fault plane) moves downward relative to the footwall (the block of rock below the fault plane). This type of fault is caused by tensional stress, which pulls the rocks apart. As a result, normal faults are common at divergent boundaries, where tectonic plates are moving away from each other.

Reverse Faults

Reverse faults, also known as thrust faults, are characterized by the hanging wall moving upward relative to the footwall. These faults are caused by compressional stress, which pushes the rocks together. Reverse faults are typical of convergent boundaries, where tectonic plates are moving towards each other, and can lead to the formation of mountain ranges.

Strike-Slip Faults

Strike-slip faults involve horizontal movement of the rocks, with little to no vertical displacement. These faults are the result of shearing stress, which causes the rocks to slide past each other. One of the most well-known examples of a strike-slip fault is the San Andreas Fault in California. This type of fault is typically found at transform boundaries, where tectonic plates slide past each other horizontally.

Comparing the Faults

To summarize the differences between the three basic types of faults: 1. Normal Faults: caused by tensional stress, result in the hanging wall moving down relative to the footwall, common at divergent boundaries. 2. Reverse Faults: caused by compressional stress, result in the hanging wall moving up relative to the footwall, common at convergent boundaries, and can lead to the formation of mountain ranges. 3. Strike-Slip Faults: caused by shearing stress, result in horizontal movement with little to no vertical displacement, common at transform boundaries. By understanding these differences, we can better comprehend the geological processes that shape the Earth's crust and the impact of different types of faults on the landscape.