Which outcome occurs when extensional stress exceeds fault strength?

💡 Explanation

Normal fault development results from extensional stress exceeding frictional strength because brittle failure induces block subsidence by gravity, therefore one block shifts downward relative to the other, rather than the blocks sliding horizontally.

• Which long-term outcome is suppressed when human infrastructure impedes sediment transport along a coastline with barrier islands?
• Which process limits nutrient availability despite large oceanic gyre circulation?
• Which risk increases when reduced sediment supply hinders sand deposition behind a developing coastal barrier island?
• Which outcome is associated with hydration melting during subduction?
• Which outcome reduces sand supply to beaches due to offshore breakwater construction?
• Which outcome increases inside karst caves following vegetation removal?