Here's why:
* Hanging Wall: This is the block of rock that lies above the fault plane. Imagine a miner hanging a lamp from the rock above the fault, hence the name.
* Footwall: This is the block of rock that lies below the fault plane. Think of it as the "floor" on which the miner is standing.
Important Note: The terms "hanging wall" and "footwall" are independent of the direction of movement along the fault. They simply describe the position of the blocks relative to the fault plane.
Now, for the different movement rates:
* Different Rates of Movement: If the hanging wall and footwall move in the same direction but at different rates, this can lead to fault creep. This is a slow, gradual movement that can happen over long periods and often doesn't cause major earthquakes.
Let me know if you'd like to learn more about different types of faults or fault movement!
