The Solid Earth - Chapter 8: Rock Deformation Flashcards
What are two common ways rocks might deform?
folding
fracturing
When do rocks begin to deform?
When rocks are subjected to stresses greater than their own strength
When stress is applied, rocks respond by deforming ______
elastically
True or false: changes resulting from elastic deformation are reversible
True
When might rocks return to nearly original size and shape?
When stress is removed
What results when the elastic limit surpassed as rocks are deformed?
Plastic deformation or fracture
This results in permanent change, that is, the size and shape of a rock unit are altered through the folding and flowing
Plastic deformation
If stress is applied quickly, rocks tend to ___
fracture
During mountain building, flat lying sedimentary and volcanic rocks are often bent into a series of undulations called -
folds
Two most common forms of folds
anticline
syncline
This type of fold is most commonly formed by the upfolding, or arching, or rock layers. They are sometimes spectacularly displayed where highways have been cut through deformed strata
Anticline
This type of fold is a downfold or trough
syncline
Three adjectives to differentiate anticline and synclines
symmetrical
asymmetrical
overturned
Folds don’t continue forever but die out at the end. The folds are said to be _____ since the axis of the fold is going into the ground
plunging
Most folds are caused by compressional stresses, but are caused by ____ displacement
vertical