Which type of fault is characterized by horizontal motion along the fault plane?

The type of fault characterized by horizontal motion along the fault plane is a strike-slip fault. In a strike-slip fault, the displacement occurs primarily in a lateral direction, meaning that the blocks of crust on either side of the fault move horizontally past one another. This movement is the result of shear stress, which is typical in tectonic settings where plates are sliding alongside each other, such as along transform boundaries.

Strike-slip faults can be seen in areas experiencing horizontal tectonic forces, correlating with major geological features such as the San Andreas Fault in California. The distinctive horizontal movement can often be observed through geological markers, such as fences or roads that show a lateral offset where they cross the fault.

In contrast, normal and reverse faults are associated with vertical motion rather than horizontal. Normal faults occur due to extensional stresses, causing the hanging wall to move down relative to the footwall. Reverse faults, on the other hand, result from compressional stresses, pushing the hanging wall up relative to the footwall. Transform faults are often considered a category that includes strike-slip behavior, but they specifically refer to faults that accommodate lateral motion between tectonic plates, while the term "strike-slip" directly highlights the mechanism of movement itself. Thus, strike-slip faults accurately