THREE STAGES OF ROCK DEFORMATION
Stress Builds, Rock Bends: Elastic, then ductile (plastic) deformation, leading to breakage.
STAGES OF ROCK DEFORMATION
- ELASTIC
- DUCTILE
- FRACTURE
STAGES OF ROCK DEFORMATION
ELASTIC DEFORMATION
- Rocks change shape in stages as they are pushed.
- The rock is first pushed and pulled so hard that it might change form or size, but the change can be done again.
- To begin, we have what is known as "elastic deformation.
- Like the elastic in your belt, this change is "elastic." This means that if you pull it and then let go, it can go back to its previous shape.
DUCTILE DEFORMATION
- Another way rocks can change shape is by ductile deformation, which means the change can't be undone.
- It is said to be ductile if something can change shape but stays that way afterward.
- The copper wire in your home is like this.
- You can stretch copper into long, thin lines because it is flexible.
- Now that this change has been made, you can't "unstretch" it. This is also true for rocks in this stage of deformation.
- Finally, rocks can crack if they are under enough stress. This is a change that can't be undone, and the rock breaks.
- You could break a bone if you fall down really hard. When rocks are under a lot of stress, they do the same thing.
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