What geological feature occurs when there is no relative movement across a fracture?

A joint is a geological feature that forms when there is a fracture in rock, but without any relative movement of the rock on either side of the fracture. This means that the rocks remain in their original position, and the fracture acts simply as a break or crack in the rock. Joints can often serve as pathways for fluids or can influence the weathering and erosion processes in that rock formation.

In contrast, a fault is characterized by significant movement along the fracture, where the two sides have shifted relative to each other, leading to various fault types based on the nature and direction of that movement. A fault scarp is a steep slope or cliff that forms as a direct result of vertical displacement along a fault, showing that movement has occurred. Displacement generally refers to the distance and direction that rock has moved due to tectonic forces but implies movement across a fracture. Thus, the absence of movement is what specifically defines a joint, setting it apart from these other related terms.