DEFORMATION OF CRUST

Changes in the Earth’s crust occur at one of three types of boundaries: convergent, divergent, and
transform boundaries. Each type of boundary is associated with distinct geological processes that shape the
Earth's surface and contribute to the dynamic nature of our planet.

Any change in the shape of the Earth's crust is called deformation. Deformation is the bending, tilting,
and breaking of Earth’s crust. Deformation can also be defined as the change in shape or volume of rock in
response to stress. Deformation can occur when the weight of some part of Earth’s crust changes. These
changes are a response to a stress in the rock.

As Earth’s lithosphere moves, or when tectonic plates collide, these actions exert force on the rock
called stress. Stress is the amount of force per unit area that acts on a rock. There are three types of stress:
compression, tension, and shear stress. Deformation can happen any time the rock changes shape,
volume, and a shy size in response to these three types of stresses. All of these are happening in the crust,
which is a part of the lithosphere, the outer layer of the Earth.

Compression stress is the type of stress that squeezes and shortens a body of rock. Compression
commonly reduces the amount of space that rock occupies, and pushes rocks higher up or deeper down into
the crust. Compression occurs at or near convergent boundaries.

Tension stress is a stress that stretches and pulls a body of rock apart. When rocks are pulled apart by
tension, the rocks tend to become thinner. Tension occurs at or near divergent boundaries.

Shear stress distorts a body of rock by pushing parts of the rock in opposite directions. Sheared rocks
bend, twist, or break apart as they slide past each other. Shear stress occurs at transform boundaries.
 Folding is also a distinct occurrence of deformation that occurs in response to compressional stress.
Fold is a form of ductile strain in which rock layers bend, usually as a result of compression. When rock
deforms in a ductile way, folds form. A fold is most easily observed where flat layers of rock were compressed
or squeezed inward. Although a fold commonly results from compression, it can also form as a result of shear
stress.

To categorize a fold, scientists study the relative ages of the rocks in the fold.

Anticline is a fold in which the oldest layer is in the center of the fold. Anticlines are commonly arch-
shaped.

Syncline is a fold in which the youngest layer is in the center of the fold. Synclines are commonly bowl-
shaped.

Monocline is a fold in which both limbs are horizontal or almost horizontal. Monoclines form when one
part of Earth’s crust moves up or down relative to another part.
 ACTIVITY ON DEFORMATION, STRESS, AND FOLDS

A. STRESS

WORD BANK

Surface Continental

Forces Floor

Landmasses Crust

Stress

(1) __________________ within the Earth itself that push and pull on the crust cause (2)
__________________. The (3) __________________ is the outermost, (4) __________________ layer of the
Earth. There are two kinds of crust, (5) __________________, which makes up the Earth’s (6)
__________________, and oceanic crust, which lies beneath the ocean (7) __________________.

B. DEFORMATION

WORD BANK

Fracture Stress Different Together

Compression Shearing Squeezes Stretch

Pulls Deformation Pushes

(8) __________________ is the breaking, tilting, and folding of rocks from rock movement. There are three
basic types of (9) __________________ that deform rocks: (10) __________________, tension, (11)
__________________. Compression (12) __________________ the rocks of the crust as the rocks move
closer (13) __________________. Tension (14) __________________ on the rocks of the crust, causing them
to (15) __________________ out over a larger area. Shearing (16) __________________ rocks of the crust in
two (17) __________________ directions, which causes rocks to twist or tear apart. A (18)
__________________ is crack in rocks due to stress.

C. FOLDING

WORD BANK

Appalachian Anticlines Fold Syncline Eastern Anticline

A bend of rock is called a(n) (19) __________________. An upward fold in a rock is called a(n) (20)
__________________. A downward fold in a rock is called a(n) (21) __________________. The (22)
__________________ Mountains in the (23) __________________ United States are made up of many (24)
__________________ and synclines.