What do normal faults typically produce in terms of their structure?

Normal faults are characterized by the movement of geological blocks where the hanging wall moves down relative to the footwall. This downward movement typically results in a structure that is very steep and inclined, forming fault zones that can reach significant angles of inclination. The steepness arises from the tension forces that pull the crust apart, leading to this unique structural formation.

Such steeply inclined fault zones are often associated with tectonic environments where extensional stress is prevalent, such as rift zones. The tilting and fracturing of the Earth's crust due to these faults can create dramatic landscapes, which differ notably from those formed by other types of faults or geological processes. Here, the substantial vertical displacement is a key feature, distinguishing normal faults from others like reverse faults, which create different structural forms.