Science Olympiad Dynamic Planet Practice Test

What defines a dip-slip fault?

1. It consists of primarily horizontal movement of the blocks

2. It has vertical shifting of the fault blocks

3. It always shows upward movement of the rock mass

4. It has both upward and horizontal slip components

The correct answer is: It has vertical shifting of the fault blocks

A dip-slip fault is characterized by the vertical movement of fault blocks along an inclined fracture plane. This means that one block moves up or down in relation to the other block. The defining feature of dip-slip faults is indeed this vertical movement, which can result in two main types: normal and reverse (or thrust) faults. Normal faults occur when the hanging wall moves down relative to the footwall, while reverse faults show the opposite motion, with the hanging wall moving up. This vertical component is key because it distinguishes dip-slip faults from other types of faults, such as strike-slip faults, which involve primarily horizontal lateral movement. In the context of seismic activity and geological structures, understanding the nature of dip-slip faults is crucial, as they are often associated with the tectonic processes that shape the earth's crust, including the formation of mountain ranges and the occurrence of earthquakes.