What term describes a fault without recognized Quaternary displacement, based on direct geologic evidence of inactivity?

The term that describes a fault without recognized Quaternary displacement, based on direct geologic evidence of inactivity, is "Inactive Fault."

Inactive faults are those that show no evidence of significant movement during the Quaternary period, which is crucial for assessing seismic hazards in a region. The Quaternary period is the most recent geological period, spanning the last 2.6 million years, and is significant due to the history of faulting and tectonic activity during this time. Identifying a fault as inactive suggests that it has not experienced displacement in the recent geological past, thereby indicating that it is less likely to cause future earthquakes compared to faults that exhibit active movement.

Understanding the activity status of a fault is essential in geology and engineering for evaluating risks and making informed decisions regarding land use, construction practices, and disaster preparedness. In contrast, active faults are known to have experienced movement within the Quaternary, while normal and reverse faults refer to specific types of fault movements based on the stress and strain conditions within the Earth's crust.