Faults Flashcards
What are the 5 types of faults?
A normal fault
A strike-slip fault
A reverse fault
An oblique fault
A thrust fault
What is a normal fault?
A normal fault is a type of fault where the hanging wall moves downward relative to the footwall.
What are normal faults associated with?
Normal faults are associated with tenstional and extensional forces, which pull the rocks apart
Where do normal faults occur?
Typically occur in areas of crustal extension, such as rift zones or along divergent plate boundaries
What are strike-slip faults?
A strike-slip fault is where the predominant movement is horizontal and parallel to the strike of the fault surface
What is the movement of a strike-slip fault?
The rocks on either side of the fault move past each other horizontally, with little to no vertical displacement
What are strike-slips associated with?
Strike-slips are associated with shear forces
What is an example of a strike-slip?
For example, San Andreas Fault in California
What is a reverse fault?
A reverse fault is a type of fault where the hanging wall moves upwards relative to the footwall
What is a reverse fault associated with?
Associated with compressional forces, where the rocks are being pushed together
What is a reverse fault characterised by?
Characterized by a steep dip angle and are common in regions undergoing crustal compression, such as convergent plate boundaries or mountain-building areas
What are thrust faults?
Reverse faults with a dip angle lower than 45 degrees are often referred to as a thrust fault
What are oblique faults?
Oblique fault is a type of fault that combines both strike-slip and dip-slip motion.
What is the movement of an oblique fault?
There is horizontal displacement (strike-slip) and vertical displacement (normal or reverse) along the fault plain
Where do oblique faults occur?
Occur when there is a combination of shear and compressional or extensional forces acting on rocks.
