1. A Model of Three Faults
Background:
1. Normal Faults are often associated with divergent (tension) boundaries.
2. Reverse/Thrust faults are often associated with convergent (compression) boundaries.
3. Strike-slip faults are often associated with transform (sliding/shearing) boundaries.
4. Hanging Walls (smaller at the bottom) and Foot Walls (larger at the bottom):
Activity:
1. Color and construct model as directed by your teacher.
2. Cut your model along the dotted line.
3. Locate points A and B on your model. Move Point B so that is next to Point A. Draw this
new cross section view.
4. Answer the following questions about your new model:
a. Which way did Point B move relative to Point A?
b. What happened to rock layers X, Y, and Z?
c. Are the rock layers still continuous?
d. What likely happened to the river? The road? The railroad tracks?
e. Is this type of fault caused by tension, compression or shearing?
f. What type of fault did you create?
g. Where are these faults found in the United States? Look on page 146 – 147
5. Now locate the Points C and D. Move Point C next to Point D. Draw this new cross
section view.
6. Answer the following questions:
a. Which way did Point D move relative to Point C?
b. What happened to rock layers X, Y, and Z?
c. Are the rock layers still continuous?
d. What likely happened to the river? The road? The railroad tracks?
e. Is this type of fault caused by tension, compression or shearing?
f. What type of fault did you create?
g. Where are these faults found in the United States? Look on page 146 – 147
7. Now locate Points F and G. Move Point F next to Point G. Draw this new cross section
view.
8. Answer the Following questions:

2. a. If you were standing at Point F and looking across the fault, which way did the
block on the opposite side move? Right or left?
b. What happened to rock layers X, Y, and Z?
c. Are the rock layers still continuous?
d. What likely happened to the river? The road? The railroad tracks?
e. If the scale used in this model is 1 mm = 2 m, how many meters did the earth
move when the fault cased Point F to move alongside Point G?
f. Is this type of fault caused by tension, compression or shearing?
g. What type of fault did you create?
h. Where are these faults found in the United States? Look on page 146 - 147
Conclusion: Use your book, pages 144 - 149
1. What kind of faults would you expect to find in the Himalayan Mountains? Why?
2. What kind of faults would you expect to find along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge? Why?
3. What kind of Fault is the San Andreas Fault? Is California likely to “fall off into the
Pacific Ocean”? Why?