The Rocky Mountains primarily exhibit two types of faults: normal faults and thrust faults.
Normal faults occur due to extensional forces, where the crust is being pulled apart. This type of faulting allows blocks of the earth’s crust to slide downward, creating valleys and other geological features typical in mountainous regions.
In contrast, thrust faults are associated with compressional forces, where the crust is being pushed together. These faults cause one block of rock to be thrust over another, leading to the dramatic uplift and complex layering of rock formations that characterize much of the Rocky Mountain range.
Both types of faults play a crucial role in shaping the topography and geology of the Rockies, contributing to their stunning and varied landscapes.