This invention provides a method and apparatus for distinguishing between knee faults and faults, comprising: acquiring seismic data of a target area, the seismic data including the geometric characteristics of
seismic wave groups; obtaining a seismic profile based on the seismic data, the seismic profile including folds composed of multiple strata; identifying a template stratum and multiple extension lines in the multiple strata, the template stratum being a continuous, unbroken, high-peak reflection layer; identifying multiple extension
layers in the seismic profile based on the template stratum and multiple extension lines; and outputting a determination result based on the geometric characteristics of the
seismic wave groups and the geometric characteristics of each extension layer. The method for distinguishing between knee faults and faults of this invention directly and accurately determines whether a compressional structural zone in the oil and gas exploration process is a knee fault, a high-angle
thrust fault, or a regulating fault using seismic data. This ensures the accuracy of seismic detection, provides important guidance for the deployment of oil and gas exploration and development drilling, and improves the success rate of oil and gas exploration drilling.