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  1. What is a fault and what are the different types? - USGS.gov

    What is a fault and what are the different types? A fault is a fracture or zone of fractures between two blocks of rock. Faults allow the blocks to move relative to each other. This movement may occur …

  2. Fault (geology) - Wikipedia

    In geology, a fault is a planar fracture or discontinuity in a volume of rock across which there has been significant displacement as a result of rock-mass movements.

  3. Fault | Definition & Types | Britannica

    Nov 11, 2025 · Fault, in geology, a planar or gently curved fracture in the rocks of Earth’s crust, where compressional or tensional forces cause relative displacement of the rocks on the opposite sides of …

  4. Faults: Definition, Types, Causes, and Geological Importance

    Jun 26, 2019 · Faults are some of the most important structures in the Earth’s crust. They control earthquakes, influence mountain building, guide the flow of fluids and magma, and strongly affect …

  5. Faults and Fractures - U.S. National Park Service

    Apr 22, 2020 · Fractures are simply cracks in the crust where there is no movement. Faults are classified according to the direction of relative movement along the fault. The terms hanging wall and …

  6. Fault: Definition and Examples in Geography - ThoughtCo

    May 14, 2025 · A fault is a break in rock where movement and earthquakes often happen. There are different kinds of faults, like dip-slip and strike-slip, which differ by movement and angle.

  7. Faults: Meaning, Causes and Effects | Rocks | Geology

    Faults are generally caused under the influence of stresses acting upon the rocks of the crust of the earth from within. Any rock on or below the crust may withstand all the operating stresses up to a …

  8. Faults — Science Learning Hub

    A fault is a three-dimensional structure located between two blocks of crust. The two surfaces of these two blocks moving past each other form what is called the fault plane. Not all faults reach the ground …

  9. What is a Fault? | Definition & Types - Lesson | Study.com

    What is a Fault in Geological Terms? A fault is a crack in the Earth's lithosphere that occurs between two pieces of rock. Rock pieces are able to move at a fault, meaning earthquakes can...

  10. Types of Faults, Causes, Types, Normal, Reverse, Diagram

    Oct 1, 2024 · A fault is a crack in the Earth’s lithosphere formed by the collision of two pieces of rock. Because rock fragments can move at a fault, earthquakes can occur if the movement pushes those …