What type of fault occurs when the hanging wall slides downward due to tension?

A normal fault occurs when the hanging wall slides downward relative to the footwall, and this movement is a direct result of extensional forces or tension acting on the Earth's crust. In a normal fault, the geological forces stretch the rock, causing fractures that allow the hanging wall block to move downwards, effectively creating a divergence between two sections of the earth's crust.

This type of fault is characteristic of regions experiencing tectonic stretching, such as mid-ocean ridges or rift valleys, where the tectonic plates move apart, leading to the hanging wall being pulled down. Understanding this process is crucial because normal faults are indicative of certain geological activities and landscape features, including the formation of valleys and basins.

In contrast, reverse faults occur under compressional forces, where the hanging wall moves up compared to the footwall. Strike-slip faults involve horizontal movement with little change in elevation, and thrust faults are a specific type of reverse fault that occurs at a low angle. Each of these faults is associated with different stress conditions in the Earth’s crust, highlighting the unique mechanisms behind faulting processes.