Tectonic faults are fractures in the Earth's crust where blocks of rock have moved relative to each other. These movements can occur due to the stress caused by tectonic plates, which are large sections of the Earth's surface that shift and interact. Faults can be classified into different types, such as normal faults, reverse faults, and strike-slip faults, depending on the direction of movement. When stress builds up along a fault line, it can lead to an earthquake, releasing energy in the form of seismic waves. The study of tectonic faults is essential for understanding geological processes and assessing earthquake risks in various regions, particularly near plate boundaries.