Which geomorphic feature is more likely to be associated with normal faulting than strike-slip faulting?

• A. Anticlines
• B. Ductile shear zones
• C. Horsts and grabens
• D. Fault scarps

Answer: (C)

Normal faulting occurs when the crust is stretched, causing blocks to move vertically along faults. The surface result is a pattern of alternating high and low blocks: horsts, which are uplifted blocks, and grabens, which are down-dropped blocks. This extensional block framework creates the classic stepped topography seen in regions undergoing extension, like the Basin and Range. Strike-slip faulting mainly involves horizontal sliding, so its surface expressions are long, linear zones of offset features rather than the vertical block relief that horsts and grabens produce. Anticlines indicate compression, ductile shear zones are a deep/deformation feature, and fault scarps can form from different fault types, but they don’t specifically signify extensional normal faulting the way horsts and grabens do.