Iris: Faulting & Folding (Foam Faults Demo)

Young scientists learn about plate tectonics and the three different types of faults (normal, reverse, and strike-slip) using foam models. The activity also covers common types of locations where these faults are found.

Students examine images of faults and folds, then experiment with two models to collect evidence to determine how the structures formed.

Find out the motion that is halfway between a normal fault and a strike-slip fault. [0:15]

Strike-slip faults are vertical fractures where the blocks have mostly moved horizontally. This brief animation provides an illustration. [0:18]

Visualize how a horizontal fault moves. [0:19]

Students construct a fault model using the Fault Model Sheet imbedded in this plan. They create a 3 dimensional model of the Earth, and use dashed lines to illustrate where the fault lies. A discussion of faults follows the completion of...

Find out what causes a fault to move in oblique direction. [0:21]

How do the valleys form in a basin-range province? [0:33]

See how basin and range mountains and valleys form. [1:05]

Animation demonstrates left-lateral fault strike-slip fault with little or no friction along fault contact. [9]