Assuming that the distance that the hanging wall moves along the fault plane is the same for two comparable reverse faults with
different fault-plane angles, what is the relationship between the angle of the dip of the fault plane and how much crustal extension or compression takes place? A. the smaller the angle of the fault plane, the greater the compression of the crust.
B. the greater the angle of the fault plane, the greater the compression of the crust.
C. the smaller the angle of the fault plane, the greater the extension of the crust.
D. the greater the angle of the fault plane, the greater the extension of the crust.
E. the smaller the angle of the fault plane, the lesser the compression of the crust.
The correct answer is B: The greater the angle of the fault, the greater the compression of the crust.
The most basic features to form in sedimentary basins under extension are normal faults. <em>Normal faults are generally fairly steep</em>, ie <em>have a high dip angle.</em> A fault will form in the crust when the extensional forces acting on it are great enough to cause failure along a fracture plane.
