Final answer:
A reverse fault is where the upper block of a fault plane moves upward over the lower block, while a thrust fault is a type of reverse fault with a gentler angle. These fault types are formed due to the compression and shortening of the Earth's crust.
Step-by-step explanation:
The type of fault where the upper block of the fault plane moves up and over the lower block is known as a reverse fault or a thrust fault. In reverse faults, the hanging wall moves upwards due to compression and shortening of the Earth's crust. A thrust fault is a special type of reverse fault with a gentle dip of less than 30° and is more common than reverse faults. The block that moves in a thrust fault is called the allochthonous block, which is thrust over the autochthonous block. Erosion can lead to the formation of a klippe or expose the autochthonous material in a window.
In comparison, a strike-slip fault involves horizontal movement, while a normal fault involves the hanging wall moving down, typically forming during the extension of the Earth's crust. These terms help describe the movements and formations observed in geology, indicating past geological events that have shaped our planet's surface.