Passive, trailing, continental margins typically exhibit normal faults that were active when the original, single continent was rifted.

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Passive, trailing, continental margins are formed when a continent separates from another continent or from an oceanic plate, which creates a rifted margin. Normal faults are common at rifted margins because the stretching of the crust causes the rock layers to break and move along faults. As the rift widens and the continent moves away, the faults become inactive and eventually become buried by sedimentary layers. These faults can be reactivated later in time due to tectonic stresses, but they are typically considered inactive in passive margins.

Passive, Trailing, Continental Margins Typically Exhibit Normal Faults That Were