1. In the earth’s crust, the forces operating in opposite direction lead to tension.
2. As a result, rocks develop cracks or fissure.
3. In the regions where cracks develop rocks get displaced, such displacement can occur in upward downward or horizontal direction.
4. Faulting can be classified according to displacement of rocks.
5. Rock layers that are near the earth’s surface and not under high confining pressures are too rigid to bend into folds.
6. If the tectonics force is large enough, these rocks will break rather than bend. Such breaks may also be called fracture, ruptures or faults.
7. Faulting results in formation of block mountains and rift valleys.
8. There are different types of faults – normal faults, reverse faults, tear fault and thrust fault.
