Which geological feature typically indicates the presence of a fault?

The presence of a fault is typically indicated by displacement along a fracture surface. Faults occur when there is a break in the Earth's crust that results in the movement of blocks of rock relative to each other. This movement leads to a characteristic offset or displacement of the rock layers across the fault line. When examining a geological map or cross-section, the displacement can often be seen as a misalignment of rock strata, which demonstrates the past tectonic activity along the fault.

In contrast, uniform rock layers suggest stability in deposition without significant tectonic activity that would create a fault. Vertical columns of sediment might appear in various geological processes but do not specifically indicate faulting unless there is evidence of displacement. The curvature of rock layers can be associated with folding rather than faulting. Therefore, the most definitive indication of a fault is the observable displacement along a fracture surface.