Grade 7
Unit 13:
Understanding
Earthquakes and Faults
Science
Lesson 2
Classifying
Geological Faults
Science
Learning Target
At the end of this lesson, the learner should be able
to understand how to categorize geological faults
based on specific criteria such as angle and
direction.
3
Introduction
Did you know that the ground we walk on can move and shift?
Introduction
These movements are often
subtle and go unnoticed, but
sometimes they can cause
dramatic shifts.
Essential Question
How do the movements of Earth's
tectonic plates impact our planet, and
why is it crucial for us to understand
these processes?
Learn about It
A geologic fault refers
to a crack or fracture in
the Earth's crust where
two blocks of land have
moved past each other.
Learn about It
Did you know? The Earth's tectonic plates move at about the same speed
as our fingernails grow! That is pretty slow, but over time, this movement
can cause big changes in the Earth's surface.
Learn about It
Parts of a Fault
A geologic fault has three
parts:
● fault line
● hanging wall block
● footwall block
Learn about It
Fault Line
Fault line serves as
the trace of the fault.
Learn about It
Dip
Dip refers angle that
the fault cuts
through the soil
layers.
Learn about It
Hanging wall blocks
Hanging wall blocks
refers to the portion
above the fault.
Learn about It
Footwall blocks
Footwall blocks
refers to the surface
below the fault.
Learn about It
Types of Fault
● Normal Fault
● Horst and Graben
● Reverse fault
● Strike-Slip Fault
Learn about It
Types of Faults: Normal Fault
Learn about It
Types of Faults: Normal Fault
Normal fault is formed
by tensional stresses that
pull rocks apart hanging
wall moves down relative
to the footwall associated
with divergent plate
boundaries.
Learn about It
Horst and Graben
Learn about It
Types of Faults: Horst and Graben
Horsts and grabens are the
alternating uplifted and
down-dropped blocks.
● Horst refers to uplifted or
raised areas.
● Grabens refers to down-
dropped or lowered areas
Learn about It
Types of Faults: Reverse Fault
Learn about It
Types of Faults: Reverse Fault
● Reverse fault is formed
by the compressional
forces that push the
plates towards each
other.
● Hanging wall moves
upward relative to the
footwall.
Learn about It
Types of Faults: Strike-Slip Fault
Learn about It
Types of Faults: Strike-Slip Fault
● Strike-slip fault is a
result of the sideways
movement of blocks of
rocks. Blocks move
laterally.
Key Points
● Geologic faults are breaks in the Earth's crust caused by the movement of
tectonic plates.
● Faults can cause earthquakes and can be found both at plate boundaries
and within continents.
● The main components of a fault are the fault line, hanging wall block, and
footwall block.
● Faults are classified into types based on their movements: normal,
reverse, and strike-slip.
Synthesis
How do the movements of Earth's
tectonic plates impact our planet, and
why is it crucial for us to understand
these processes?
25
Synthesis
How does understanding these geologic processes important in
real life or other subjects like environmental science and
geography?
26
Synthesis
Can you think of a current
environmental issue related to
tectonic movements? How do
you think understanding
tectonic plate movements
could aid advancing innovative
technologies that can help
solve these issues?
27
Answer the following:
1. What are the implications of living near an active fault
line?
2. What would be the impact on ecosystems if a major fault
shifted?
3. How does understanding these geologic processes
important in real life or other subjects like environmental
science and geography?
4. How do the movements of Earth's tectonic plates impact
our planet, and why is it crucial for us to understand these
processes?
