What describes a strike-slip fault?

A strike-slip fault is characterized by the horizontal movement of rocks along the fault line, where the blocks of crust on either side of the fault move past each other in opposite directions. This type of fault occurs primarily due to lateral shear stress. The movement is typically horizontal and parallel to the fault line, which is why the rocks appear to slide past one another sideways.

The other choices describe different types of geological faults. For example, rocks that move up and down are characteristic of dip-slip faults, where vertical movement occurs. When rocks are pushed apart, it typically results in a normal fault, while compression and uplift are associated with reverse faults. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for recognizing the type of fault based on the movement of rocks.