How does a horizontal fault move?
Strike-slip faults are vertical (or nearly vertical) fractures where the blocks have mostly moved horizontally. The fault motion of a strike-slip fault is caused by shearing forces. If the block on the far side of the fault moves to the left, as shown in this animation, the fault is called left-lateral. If the block on the far side moves to the right, the fault is called right-lateral Other names: transform, transcurrent fault, lateral fault, tear fault or wrench fault. Examples: San Andreas Fault, California; Anatolian Fault, Turkey.
Keypoints:
- Strike-slip motion is horizontal
- The fault is vertical, or nearly vertical
- It can be right lateral or left lateral