geological faulting

Geological faulting occurs when large blocks of Earth's crust break and slide past each other along fractures called faults. These faults form because Earth's tectonic plates are constantly moving, causing stresses that exceed the rocks' strength. When this happens, it results in sudden movements, leading to earthquakes and the creation of features like fault lines and offsets in the landscape. Faulting helps shape the Earth's surface over time and provides clues about geological processes beneath our feet.