Which type of fault is formed when tectonic plates move horizontally past each other?

A strike-slip fault is formed when tectonic plates move horizontally past each other. This type of fault is characterized by the lateral displacement of rock masses, where the movement is primarily horizontal. A common example of a strike-slip fault is the San Andreas Fault in California.

The defining feature of a strike-slip fault is that the rocks on either side of the fault line slide past one another with little to no vertical movement, which distinguishes it from other fault types.

In contrast, other fault types involve different movements. A normal fault occurs when the rocks are pulled apart, which typically happens at divergent boundaries where tectonic plates are moving away from each other. A thrust fault involves a compressional force, resulting in one block of rock being pushed over another, typical at convergent boundaries. An oblique-slip fault exhibits both horizontal and vertical movement, combining aspects of both strike-slip and dip-slip faults.

Understanding the mechanisms behind these various faults is crucial for studying the effects of tectonic movements and the geological features they create.