Question

Which one of the following is the nature of Strike – Slip Fault?

• A. A combination of vertical and horizontal movement
• B. Hanging wall moves down due to tension
• C. Rocks slide horizontally past each other
• D. Hanging wall moves up due to compression

Hint:

A fault is a fracture in rock along which blocks have moved relative to each other. Faults are named by the direction of that movement.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Recall how faults are named.
Faults are named by the direction the rock blocks move relative to each other.

Step 2: Rule out the mixed-movement option.
A combination of vertical and horizontal movement is an oblique-slip fault, not a pure strike-slip.

Step 3: Rule out the tension option.
A hanging wall moving down due to tension is a normal fault.

Step 4: Rule out the compression option.
A hanging wall moving up due to compression is a reverse fault.

Step 5: Identify the strike-slip motion.
In a strike-slip fault the blocks slide horizontally past each other along the fault line, with little vertical movement.

Step 6: Choose the answer.
Rocks slide horizontally past each other, option 3.
\[ \boxed{\text{Rocks slide horizontally past each other}} \]