MasteryExams
Geography • Physical GeographyMedium

Which of the following describes a horst in structural geology?

A. A depressed block of land bordered by parallel normal faults
B. An elevated block of land bounded by normal faults on its sides✓ Correct Answer
C. A fold where strata dip away from a common central point
D. A type of volcanic spine formed by extruded viscous lava

💡 Solution & Explanation

A horst in structural geology represents an elevated block of the Earth's crust that remains uplifted while the adjacent blocks on either side drop down along normal faults due to tensional tectonic forces. Conversely, a depressed block bounded by parallel normal faults is termed a graben or rift valley, which forms low-lying topographic features. These block-faulting structures contrast sharply with fold mountains created by compressional forces or volcanic landforms generated through the extrusion of molten magma. Geomorphological landforms and faulting mechanics are core topics within physical geography syllabi.

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