ASBOG Practice Exam

Which geological feature is defined as having movement both vertically and horizontally?

1. Normal fault

2. Reverse fault

3. Strike-slip fault

4. Transform fault

The correct answer is: Strike-slip fault

The geological feature characterized by movement both vertically and horizontally is the transform fault. Transform faults occur where two tectonic plates slide past each other. This lateral motion can result in significant horizontal displacement, which is a defining feature of this type of fault. In addition to the horizontal movement, there may also be vertical shifts due to variations in the geological structures on either side of the fault, although the primary motion is horizontal. Normal and reverse faults primarily involve vertical movement. Normal faults occur when extensional forces pull the crust apart, leading to the hanging wall moving downward relative to the footwall. Conversely, reverse faults involve compressional forces, where the hanging wall moves upward compared to the footwall. A strike-slip fault is another type of fault that primarily focuses on lateral movement. However, it typically does not include the element of vertical displacement that can occur in transform faults. Thus, the transform fault is distinguished by its combination of horizontal sliding and potential vertical movement, making it the feature that corresponds with the question.