What is the correct term for a series of parallel cracks formed during an earthquake that separate the ground into blocks?

The term that accurately describes a series of parallel cracks formed during an earthquake that separate the ground into blocks is known as "Ground Lurching." This phenomenon occurs when the intensity of seismic waves causes the surface of the ground to move or shift, resulting in visible fractures. Such movement effectively divides the terrain into sections or blocks due to the differential motion of the earth materials during the seismic event.

In geological terms, ground lurching specifically refers to the surface response to fault movement, which may not only involve vertical displacement but also lateral shifts that can create multiple fractures. Understanding this process is crucial in geotechnical assessments and earthquake engineering, as it impacts the stability of structures and landscapes.

While other terms might imply related phenomena, they do not specifically capture the concept of parallel cracks that define ground lurching. For example, a fault-line scarp refers to a steep slope formed from the displacement along a fault line but does not encompass the broader idea of multiple cracks occurring simultaneously. Similarly, the head scarp typically describes the steeper slope at the upper edge of a landslide or a slip, and ground shattering tends to describe surface disruption in a more general sense without highlighting the organized nature of cracks seen in ground lurching.