Crustal Deformation

 

Terms to learn:

compressional stress      tensional stress                shear stress         elastic deformation

plastic deformation        brittle deformation        anticline                  syncline

joint                                          reverse fault                      normal fault          strike-slip fault

 

Topic outline:

A. Tectonic forces

1. Stress

B.     Behavior of rocks under stress

C.    Types of geologic structures

1. Folds
   1. Anticline
   2. Syncline
2. Fractures
   1. Joints
   2. Normal fault (dip-slip)
      1. footwall
      2. hanging wall
   3. Reverse fault (dip-slip)
      1. thrust
   4. Strike-slip fault
      1. left and right lateral

 

Interesting places to visit:

Great basics on structural geology: http://earth.leeds.ac.uk/learnstructure/index.htm

 

Self quiz: http://www3.cerritos.edu/earth-science/tutor/Structural_Geology/geologic_structures_quiz1.htm

 

When you are finished with this topic, you should be able to answer the following questions:

1. What types of stress are associated with each of the three faults?
2. Folds are formed by what type of deformation and stress?
3. What is the difference between a joint and a fault?
4. How do you distinguish between a right-lateral and left-lateral strike-slip fault?
5. What type of fault would you expect to be predominant at each type of plate boundary?