Extensional fault

[1] Stretching reduces the thickness and horizontally extends portions of the crust and/or lithosphere.

Extensional faults are generally planar.

If the stress field is oriented with the maximum stress perpendicular to the Earth's surface, extensional faults will create an initial dip of the associated beds of about 60° from the horizontal.

The faults will typically extend down to the base of the seismogenic layer.

As crustal stretching continues, the faults will rotate, resulting in steeply-dipping fault blocks between them.

Array of extensional faults cutting Triassic to Lower Jurassic Blomidon Formation rocks, near Clarke Head, Minas Basin North Shore, Nova Scotia , position of faults highlighted in black, marker bed highlighted in green
Students examine an extensional fault, up close
A fault with a backpack at the base of the fault in Death Valley , CA.