Fault traces refer to the visible evidence of a geological or tectonic movement that results in a fracture or crack in the earth's crust. There are several synonyms for the term fault traces, including fault scarps, fault lines, and fault zones, all of which describe the surface expression of an underground fault. Fault scarps are steep slopes created by a fault movement. Fault lines are the visible surface expression where the two sides of a fault move relative to each other. Fault zones refer to the regions where multiple faults intersect creating a broader area of fault traces. Regardless of what term is used, fault traces are crucial for understanding earthquakes and the geography of the earth's surface.