Which type of fault has movement that is parallel to the dip of the fault?

The correct answer is dip-slip fault because this type of fault is characterized by movement along the fault that is parallel to the dip of the fault plane. In a dip-slip fault, the movement can either be vertical or inclined, where one block of rock moves up or down relative to the other.

When we talk about dip-slip faults, they are further classified into two main categories: normal faults and reverse faults, which describe the direction of movement. In a normal fault, the hanging wall moves down relative to the footwall, while in a reverse fault, the hanging wall moves up. Both types depend on gravity and the stress applied to the rocks, but they still fall under the broader category of dip-slip faults because the key characteristic remains that their movement is primarily vertical and along the fault dip.

This movement pattern distinguishes dip-slip faults from strike-slip faults, where the movement is horizontal and parallel to the fault line, rather than along the inclined surface. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for recognizing the geological features associated with different fault types.