Faults and Fault Components Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What primarily causes the movement along fault lines?

Temperature fluctuations

Disturbances in the atmosphere

Volcanic activity

Tectonic plate motion (correct)

Which type of fault is characterized by the separation of the Earth’s crust?

Normal Faults (correct)

Strike-Slip Faults

Compression Faults

Reverse Faults

Which tectonic force results in reverse faults?

Shear Forces

Rotational Forces

Tensional Forces

Compressional Forces (correct)

What happens to rocks along a fault before they experience an earthquake, according to the Elastic Rebound Theory?

They bend and store energy Signup and view all the answers

The San Andreas Fault is an example of which type of fault?

Strike-Slip Fault Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of stress accumulation along fault lines exceeding the fault's strength?

Abrupt fault movement resulting in an earthquake Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following regions illustrates an example of tensional forces?

East African Rift Signup and view all the answers

Who developed the Elastic Rebound Theory?

Harry Fielding Reid Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the formation of horst and graben structures?

Vertical displacement arises from crustal extension. Signup and view all the answers

In which geological regions are normal faults most commonly found?

Rift zones and mid-ocean ridges. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes the stress involved in normal faulting?

Tensional stress pulls the Earth's crust apart. Signup and view all the answers

What type of strain occurs in the formation of normal faults?

Elastic strain initially, followed by brittle deformation. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the hanging wall in a reverse fault?

It moves upward relative to the footwall. Signup and view all the answers

What is the maximum principal stress direction in normal faulting?

Vertical. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common result of the slip occurring along a normal fault?

Formation of rift valleys. Signup and view all the answers

How much vertical displacement can occur along a normal fault?

Ranges from meters to several kilometers. Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary characteristic of a normal fault?

The hanging wall moves downward relative to the footwall. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of fault is characterized by horizontal displacement?

Strike-slip fault Signup and view all the answers

Which publication discusses empirical relationships among magnitude, rupture length, and surface displacement?

New Empirical Relationships among Magnitude Signup and view all the answers

What is the main focus of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology?

Creating earthquake hazard maps. Signup and view all the answers

What differentiates a conventional system from a base isolation system in earthquake engineering?

Base isolation systems prevent building movement during quakes. Signup and view all the answers

What is the hanging wall in relation to the footwall?

It is the upper side of a sloping fault plane. Signup and view all the answers

Which measurement describes the steepness of a fault plane?

Dip Signup and view all the answers

In what type of environment are normal faults most commonly found?

Rift zones Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the hanging wall in a normal fault?

It moves downward relative to the footwall. Signup and view all the answers

What term describes the line formed by the intersection of the fault plane with the Earth's surface?

Fault Trace Signup and view all the answers

What type of forces are responsible for the movement along normal faults?

Tension Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a fault plane?

It can only occur in rift zones. Signup and view all the answers

What occurs at the fault trace?

The fault plane intersects with the Earth's surface. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of identifying recurrence intervals of earthquakes on specific faults?

It aids in predicting potential future seismic events. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of displacement is NOT associated with ground rupture due to earthquakes?

Angular displacement Signup and view all the answers

What can occur as a result of foundation failure caused by fault movements?

Uneven settling of buildings Signup and view all the answers

What engineering solution can help mitigate damage from earthquakes?

Implementing base isolation techniques Signup and view all the answers

How can fault movements impact infrastructure such as roads and bridges?

They can cause shear forces resulting in structural failure. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an outcome of utility disruptions caused by fault movements?

Potential hazards like fires and flooding Signup and view all the answers

What does the study of faults contribute to in the field of earthquake engineering?

Understanding of seismic hazards and their impacts Signup and view all the answers

Which design feature can help bridges withstand earthquake-induced movements?

Expansion joints Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Fault Components

Fault Plane: Surface where rock blocks move; can be vertical or sloping.
Fault Trace: Line where fault plane meets Earth's surface; visible expression of the fault.
Hanging Wall: Upper side of a sloping fault plane; moves relative to the footwall.
Footwall: Lower side of a sloping fault plane; remains below the hanging wall.

Fault Measurements

Strike: Direction of the fault trace on the Earth's surface; indicates fault's orientation relative to north.
Dip: Angle at which the fault plane slopes downward from horizontal; indicates fault steepness.

Types of Faults

Normal Faults: Hanging wall moves down relative to footwall due to tensional forces pulling the Earth's crust apart.
- Occur in extensional environments like rift zones.
- Forms horst (uplifted land) and graben (sunken land) structures.
Reverse Faults: Hanging wall moves up relative to footwall due to compressional forces pushing the Earth's crust together.
- Occurs in areas where plates collide, like the Himalayas.
Strike-Slip Faults: Rocks move horizontally past each other due to shear forces.
- Examples: San Andreas Fault (separates Pacific and North American Plates).

Tectonic Forces

Compressional Forces: Push against each other, causing one plate to slide over the other or crumple upwards.
Tensional Forces: Pull the Earth's crust apart.
Shear Forces: Plates slide past one another horizontally.

Elastic Rebound Theory

Explains how earthquakes occur.
Rocks on either side of a fault bend and stretch when tectonic plates shift.
Energy is stored in this bending until rocks reach a breaking point.
The fault ruptures, releasing stored energy as an earthquake.

Fault Impact on Infrastructure

Ground Rupture: Vertical and horizontal displacements can cause damage to buildings.
Foundation Failure: Ground shifts compromise foundations, leading to uneven settling.
Pounding Effects: Buildings can collide if not properly separated.
Road Displacement: Fault movements can displace roads.
Bridge Structural Failure: Shear forces and differential movement can cause bridge collapse.
Utility Disruptions: Damage to pipelines and electrical infrastructure can lead to service disruptions.

Engineering Solutions to Mitigate Fault-Induced Damage

Base Isolation: Buildings have flexible, isolated bases to reduce seismic forces.
Flexible Design: Bridges and roads have expansion joints and flexible materials.
Retrofitting Existing Structures: Strengthen older buildings and infrastructure to withstand earthquake forces.

Importance of Fault Studies in Earthquake Engineering

Understanding fault behavior clarifies seismic hazards.
Information helps engineers design safer structures, mitigate risk, and improve community resilience.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the various types of faults and their components. This quiz covers fault planes, traces, measurements, and the distinction between normal and reverse faults. Understand the geological significance of these formations and their behavior in different environments.