What type of fault allows for the horizontal movement of tectonic plates?

The type of fault that allows for the horizontal movement of tectonic plates is a transform fault. In this type of fault, two tectonic plates slide past each other horizontally. The movement can occur in either direction, but it is primarily characterized by lateral displacement. This horizontal movement does not significantly change the elevation of the rocks on either side of the fault, which distinguishes transform faults from other fault types.

Transform faults are often found at plate boundaries, where they can contribute to seismic activity as the plates grind against one another. A well-known example of a transform fault is the San Andreas Fault in California. Here, the Pacific Plate and the North American Plate are sliding past one another, which can lead to earthquakes along the fault line.

Normal faults and reverse faults, on the other hand, are associated with vertical movement due to extensional and compressional forces, respectively, and do not facilitate horizontal movement. Thrust faults are a specific type of reverse fault where the movement is also primarily vertical, often resulting in one block being pushed up over another.