A thrust fault occurs in the context of compressional tectonic settings, where two tectonic plates or sections of the Earth’s crust are pushed towards each other. This type of fault is characterized by one block of crust being forced over another block. Thrust faults are typically found in convergent boundaries, where the movement is mainly horizontal but can also have a vertical component. They are most commonly associated with mountain-building processes, such as the Himalayas being formed by the collision of the Indian and Eurasian plates.
In summary, the tectonic setting of a thrust fault is primarily associated with areas of compressional stress, usually found at convergent plate boundaries where tectonic plates collide, resulting in complex geological features and significant elevation changes in the Earth’s crust.