The block that moves up relative to the other block along a fault is called the hanging wall. This occurs in a reverse fault , where the hanging wall moves up relative to the block below the fault, known as the footwall. Reverse faults are caused by compressional forces and result in shortening of the crust
. To summarize:
- The hanging wall is the block above the fault plane.
- The footwall is the block below the fault plane.
- In a reverse fault , the hanging wall moves up relative to the footwall.
- In contrast, in a normal fault , the hanging wall moves down relative to the footwall
Therefore, the block that moves up relative to the other is called the hanging wall in the context of a reverse fault.
