What classification applies to faults with evidence of Holocene movement?

The classification that applies to faults showing evidence of Holocene movement is "sufficiently active." This term is used to describe faults that have exhibited significant movement during the Holocene epoch, which began approximately 11,700 years ago. The identification of a fault as sufficiently active is crucial for understanding its potential to generate earthquakes and informs land use planning, hazard assessments, and geological studies.

The distinction of sufficiently active includes the recognition of younger fault movements that have occurred within a time frame that is geologically significant and relevant to current seismic risk. This classification helps geologists assess which faults are more likely to be hazardous in the near future compared to older, inactive faults. Understanding which faults fall into this category is essential for seismic hazard evaluation, regulatory practices, and engineering considerations in earthquake-prone regions like California.