Here’s a tabular comparison between a strike-slip fault and a thrust fault:
| Aspect | Strike-Slip Fault | Thrust Fault |
|---|---|---|
| Movement | Horizontal movement along the fault line | Vertical movement along the fault line |
| Type of stress | Shear stress | Compressive stress |
| Fault plane orientation | Nearly vertical or inclined plane | Inclined plane |
| Relative displacement | Blocks on either side of the fault slide past each other horizontally | The upper block is pushed up and over the lower block along the fault |
| Earthquake type | Associated with mostly lateral or strike-slip earthquakes | Associated with mostly thrust or reverse earthquakes |
| Surface features | Can result in offset features, such as stream channels or fences | Can cause folding, fault scarps, or imbricate thrust sheets |
| Examples | San Andreas Fault in California, USA | Main Central Thrust in the Himalayas, Alpine Fault in New Zealand |
It’s important to note that these characteristics can vary depending on the specific fault and regional tectonic conditions. Additionally, faults can have complex behaviors, and there can be transitional or hybrid fault types that exhibit characteristics of both strike-slip and thrust faults.
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