In a reverse fault, which way does the hanging wall move?

In a reverse fault, the hanging wall moves up relative to the footwall. This type of fault occurs in regions of compressional stress, where tectonic forces are pushing the Earth's crust together. As the stress builds up, the hanging wall is forced to move upwards over the footwall. This can result in the formation of features such as mountain ranges, where layers of rock are pushed up and over one another.

The upward movement of the hanging wall is a key characteristic that differentiates reverse faults from other fault types, such as normal faults, where the hanging wall moves downward, and strike-slip faults, which involve horizontal movement. This understanding of fault movements is crucial in studying tectonic activity and geologic formations in various regions, including those impacted by significant seismic events.