FAQ - Earthquakes, Faults, Plate Tectonics, Earth Structure

Q: What is the relationship between faults and earthquakes? What happens to a fault when an earthquake occurs?

A: Earthquakes occur on faults - strike-slip earthquakes occur on strike-slip faults, normal earthquakes occur on normal faults, and thrust earthquakes occur on thrust or reverse faults. When an earthquake occurs on one of these faults, the rock on one side of the fault slips with respect to the other. The fault surface can be vertical, horizontal, or at some angle to the surface of the earth. The slip direction can also be at any angle.

Earthquakes and Faults Flash Animation

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