Which mechanism causes the formation of horst and graben structures within a continental rift zone?

💡 Explanation

When crustal extension occurs, normal faulting develops because gravity causes the hanging wall to slide downward relative to the footwall, leading to the formation of horst and graben structures. Therefore, normal faulting results, rather than reverse, strike-slip, or thrust faulting, which require compressional, shear, or buckling forces.

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