Overview
Fault mechanics is a crucial field in geology that examines how faults behave and interact, particularly during seismic events. Understanding the types of faults, the stress and strain they experience, and the mechanics of earthquakes helps scientists predict and mitigate the impacts of seismic acti...
Key Terms
Example: The San Andreas Fault is a well-known strike-slip fault.
Example: Tectonic plates create stress in the Earth's crust.
Example: Rocks can experience elastic strain before breaking.
Example: P-waves and S-waves are types of seismic waves.
Example: Rocks bend until they break, releasing energy as seismic waves.
Example: Some faults exhibit creep, causing minor earthquakes over time.