In a normal fault, the hanging wall moves in which direction due to tensional stress?

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Prepare for your Introduction to Physical Geology Exam. Tackle diverse topics with multiple-choice questions and detailed explanations. Equip yourself with knowledge about Earth's physical processes and surface features. Ace your exam with confidence!

Multiple Choice

In a normal fault, the hanging wall moves in which direction due to tensional stress?

Explanation:
Tensional stress pulls the crust apart, causing blocks to slip along a fault plane. In a normal fault, the hanging wall—the block above the fault plane—slides downward relative to the footwall. That downward movement is the defining feature of normal faults and reflects crustal extension. Upward movement would occur with compression (reverse faults), while left or right would be characteristic of strike-slip motion with little vertical offset.

Tensional stress pulls the crust apart, causing blocks to slip along a fault plane. In a normal fault, the hanging wall—the block above the fault plane—slides downward relative to the footwall. That downward movement is the defining feature of normal faults and reflects crustal extension. Upward movement would occur with compression (reverse faults), while left or right would be characteristic of strike-slip motion with little vertical offset.

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