Understanding Fault Stress: Normal & Reverse Fault Types

Dip-Slip Faults:

- Normal Fault: Tensile stress - This type of fault occurs when the rocks on either side of the fault plane move apart. It is typically caused by extensional forces, such as when the Earth's crust is stretched, causing the ground surface to drop on one side of the fault.

- Reverse Fault: Compressional stress - Reverse faults occur when the rocks on either side of the fault plane move toward each other. They are typically caused by compressional forces, such as when the Earth's crust is shortened or uplifted, causing the ground surface to rise on one side of the fault.

Strike-Slip Faults:

- Strike-Slip Fault: Shear stress - Strike-slip faults occur when the rocks on either side of the fault plane move horizontally past each other. They are caused by shearing forces, such as when two tectonic plates slide past each other along their boundaries.