WAEC 2020 Geography · Question 42

One of the following features is an example of faulting

Options

  1. A.Plateau
  2. B.Caldera
  3. C.Rift valley
  4. D.Fold mountain

Answer: C. Rift valley

Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks which landform results from faulting, which is the fracturing and displacement of rock layers in the Earth's crust.

Step 2: Explain the concept Faulting happens when tension or compression is strong enough to break the crust along lines of weakness called faults. The main landforms from faulting are:

  • Rift valley (graben): a block of land that drops down between two roughly parallel faults.
  • Block mountain (horst): a block left standing high between faults, or pushed up.
  • Escarpment / fault scarp: a steep slope formed along a fault line.

Step 3: Check each option

  • A. Plateau: a high, flat-topped upland. It is formed by uplift, lava flows, or erosion, and is not a typical product of faulting.
  • B. Caldera: a large crater formed by volcanic collapse or explosion. It is a volcanic feature.
  • C. Rift valley: formed when land sinks between two parallel faults. This is a classic example of faulting.
  • D. Fold mountain: formed by compression that bends rock layers into folds, like the Alps or the Himalayas. This is folding, not faulting.

Step 4: Answer The correct option is C. Rift valley.

Tip: Remember "Fault = Fracture". Faulting gives you rift valleys, block mountains and fault scarps. Folding gives you fold mountains. Examples to remember are the East African Rift Valley and, in Nigeria, the Benue Trough area. Also remember that Fold = Bend, Fault = Break.

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