Earthquake Faults

Earthquake faults are fractures in Earth's crust where rock masses have shifted relative to each other. These faults form because Earth's tectonic plates are constantly moving, causing stress along their edges. When the stress exceeds the strength of the rocks, it releases energy as an earthquake, causing the ground to shake. Faults can be straight or complex, and their movement can be horizontal, vertical, or a combination of both. Understanding faults helps scientists assess earthquake risk and patterns, as most quakes occur along these subterranean fractures where the Earth's crust is already fractured and prone to slipping.