Earth Science Fault Types and Movements

A steep dip-slip fault where the upper block moves up over the lower block due to compression.

A type of reverse fault with a shallow dip angle (45 degrees or less).

A fault type where blocks slide horizontally past one another due to shear stress.

A strike-slip fault where the opposite block appears to move left from your viewpoint.

A strike-slip fault where the opposite block appears to move right from your viewpoint.

A dip-slip fault where the block above moves downward due to extension.

Energy stored in rocks when they are compressed or stretched, waiting to be released.

Energy released during an earthquake that allows rocks to move and deform.

Energy released by a rupture along a fault during an earthquake, propagating as seismic waves.

The point within the Earth where an earthquake originates.

The point on the Earth's surface directly above the focus of an earthquake.

The surface along which rock masses have moved during an earthquake.

The visible edge of a fault that shows the movement that has taken place.

The exposed surface of a fault where the energy has ruptured the ground.

An earthquake occurring at depths between 0 and 70 km, causing significant surface damage.

An earthquake occurring at depths between 70 km and 300 km.

An earthquake occurring at depths greater than 300 km, usually in subduction zones.

Waves of energy that travel through the Earth’s layers and are felt during an earthquake.

Stress that pushes rocks together, often causing reverse faults.

Forces that pull rocks apart, causing normal faults.

The displacement of rocks along a fault line due to stress during an earthquake.

The block of rock that is above the fault plane.

The block of rock that is below the fault plane.

The visible breaking of the ground's surface along a fault during an earthquake.

Regions where tectonic plates collide, often associated with reverse faults.

Regions where tectonic plates move apart, usually resulting in normal faults.

The thick part of Earth's crust that forms the continents, often involved in strike-slip faults.

The thinner part of Earth's crust that forms the ocean floor, commonly associated with divergent boundaries.

The spread of a fault rupture along a fault line during an earthquake.