In a reverse fault (including thrust faults), the hanging wall moves UP relative to the footwall — the result of compressional (convergent) tectonic forces. This is opposite to a normal fault, where the hanging wall moves DOWN due to extensional forces. Thrust faults are reverse faults with a dip angle less than $45^{\circ}$. They shorten and thicken the crust and are characteristic of convergent plate boundaries and fold-thrust belts.