What Are Three Types of Faults?
Last Updated Mar 28, 2020 4:56:15 AM ET
Three types of faults are normal faults, reverse faults and strike-slip faults. A fault's type depends on the kinds of forces acting upon it. A fault is a crack or fracture of the Earth's crust where movement occurs in the rock on either side of the crack.
In a normal fault, the hanging wall, or upper side, of the fault drops down. The forces involved move the sides apart.
In a reverse fault, the opposite happens, and the hanging wall moves in an upward direction. The forces push the sides together.
In strike-slip faults, the walls move from side to side instead of in an up or down direction. No hanging wall exists in this type of fault.
More From Reference
What Are the Steps of Presidential Impeachment?
What Does George Soros' Open Society Foundations Network Fund?
The History of the United States' Golden Presidential Dollars
How the COVID-19 Pandemic Has Changed Schools and Education in Lasting Ways
Fact Check: Is the COVID-19 Vaccine Safe?
How Does the 25th Amendment Work — and When Should It Be Enacted?