What term is used to describe the occurrence of a historical rupture defined in California's fault map?

The term used to describe a historical rupture defined in California's fault map is "Historic Fault." This designation applies to faults that have demonstrated activity in the past but are not currently classified as active based on criteria such as their last major rupture. In California, a fault must have had a significant earthquake in the historical period (roughly the past 200 years) to be labeled as historic, and this classification helps geologists and engineers understand the seismic risk associated with specific faults.

Understanding the distinction between historic faults and other types of faults is crucial in geological assessments and hazard evaluations. For instance, an active fault is one that has exhibited recent movement, while a Holocene fault specifically refers to those that have had activity since the last ice age, around 11,700 years ago. A growth fault, on the other hand, is a term used in a different geological context related to sedimentary processes. The terminology is foundational in the field of geology, particularly in regions like California, which is seismically active and needs accurate fault classifications for safety and planning purposes.