how are faults classfied
Since this is not my area of expertise, I searched Google under the key words "geological faults" to get these possible sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geologic_fault
http://www.see.leeds.ac.uk/structure/faults/
http://geology.about.com/library/bl/blnutshell_fault-type.htm
(Broken Link Removed)
http://www2.geo.uib.no/SEIS-SCHOOL/ariadna/faults3.html
In the future, you can find the information you desire more quickly, if you use appropriate key words to do your own search.
I hope this helps. Thanks for asking.
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Faults are classified based on their movement or behavior along the fault plane. There are three main types of faults:
1. Dip-Slip Faults: These faults occur when the movement is mainly vertical along the fault plane, caused by the displacement of rocks in the subsurface. Dip-slip faults are further classified into two types:
a. Normal Faults: These faults occur when the hanging wall (the block of rock above the fault plane) moves down relative to the footwall (the block of rock below the fault plane). They are associated with tensional forces and are commonly found in areas where the Earth's crust is being stretched.
b. Reverse Faults: In reverse faults, the hanging wall moves up relative to the footwall. This type of fault is associated with compressional forces, where the crust is being squeezed. Reverse faults with a relatively gentle dip angle are called thrust faults.
2. Strike-Slip Faults: In strike-slip faults, the dominant movement is horizontal along the fault plane, caused by shear forces. The displacement is parallel to the strike (the direction) of the fault. Strike-slip faults are further classified into two types:
a. Right-Lateral Faults: This type of fault is characterized by horizontal movement where the observer standing on one side of the fault sees the opposite block moving to the right.
b. Left-Lateral Faults: Similar to right-lateral faults, the observer sees the opposite block moving to the left when standing on one side of the fault.
3. Oblique-Slip Faults: These faults have both vertical and horizontal movements along the fault plane. The movement is a combination of dip-slip and strike-slip. Oblique-slip faults do not fit solely into the categories of dip-slip or strike-slip faults.
To classify a fault, geologists analyze the relative movement of the rocks on either side of the fault plane, the direction and type of force that caused the faulting, as well as the displacement pattern. Field observations, geological mapping, and analysis of seismic data are some of the techniques used to determine the type and characteristics of a fault.