What Forces Created These Geologic Features?
ES1106  Interpreting Another Fault

Here’s another fault. Follow the same sequence to interpret the forces that caused it:

  • Look for offset layers.
  • Identify the fault.
  • Identify the footwall and the hanging wall.
  • Examine how the layer you identified has been offset. If the hanging wall moved down relative to the footwall, the movement was caused by tension. If the hanging wall moved up relative to the footwall, the movement was caused by compression.
  • Tension (stretching) causes normal faults. Compression (pushing together) causes reverse faults.
  !   Click the buttons along the bottom of the image to see another example of interpreting a fault.
Reverse Fault

2. Sketch the fault including layers A and B. Label the fault, hanging wall, and footwall. Name the type of fault, and draw arrows to indicate the direction of stress. 



	

 	

		
			
	

	
	

		 
		 	 Step:
		 		
		           
			     
				    
				    
						
	                 	
						 1 
						
		           
			     
				    
				    
						
	                 	
						 2 
						
		           
			     
				   3
					
		           
			     
				    
				    
						
	                 	
						 4 
						
		           
			     
				    
				    
						
	                 	
						 5 
						
		           
			     
				    
				    
						
	                 	
						 6 
						
		           
			     
				    
				    
						
	                 	
						 7