Figure showing possible modes of linkage of two normal faults growing toward each other. In order for scaling relationships between fault length and displacement to be maintained during linkage, displacement must be accelerated in the linkage region to account for the increased length of the fault. One way to do this is for a number of smaller faults to develop in the linkage regions, the sum total of displacement on these smaller faults can increase so that scaling relationships are maintained. (Figure from Anders and Schlische, 1994).