A mountain can indeed be formed as a result of a normal fault, though it's more commonly associated with other types of faulting, such as reverse faults (thrust faults). However, in areas of tectonic extension, normal faults can also contribute to the formation of mountains, particularly in what are known as fault-block mountain ranges.
Here's how it works:
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Normal Faulting: In a normal fault, the block of rock above the fault plane (the hanging wall) moves downward relative to the block below (the footwall). This usually occurs in regions where the Earth's crust is being stretched.
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Fault-Block Mountains: When large sections of the Earth's crust are pulled apart, it can create a series of normal faults. The resultant landscape can consist of alternating blocks of uplifted and down-dropped rock. The uplifted blocks can form mountain ranges known as fault-block mountains.
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Examples: The Sierra Nevada in California is a well-known example of a fault-block mountain range formed by normal faulting. Here, the blocks of crust have been uplifted while adjacent areas have subsided.
In summary, while normal faults primarily cause down-dropped areas, the interplay of uplift and subsidence along multiple normal faults can lead to the creation of mountains, particularly in regions characterized by extension and rifting.