Question

faults are formed when two plates cause ____, tearing the rocks in an area apart from one another.
compression

shearing

tension

infiltration

Explanation:

• Compression: When plates push together, it causes folding and uplift rather than tearing rocks apart.
• Shearing: Involves plates sliding past each other horizontally, not the action of tearing rocks apart as described.
• Tension: When plates pull apart (tension), it can cause rocks to be torn apart, which is consistent with fault formation in this context.
• Infiltration: Refers to water seeping into soil or rocks, not related to plate - movement causing faults.

Answer:

tension