Type of Stress
Definition
Type of plate boundary this occurs at
What does it cause
Compression
Tension
Shear
Type of Stress: Compression
Definition: Compression stress occurs when forces push or squeeze on an object, causing it to compress or become shorter in length. This stress causes the object to experience a decrease in volume.
Type of plate boundary this occurs at: Compression stress commonly occurs at convergent plate boundaries or where two tectonic plates are colliding.
What does it cause: Compression stress can result in the formation of reverse faults, mountain ranges, and folding of rock layers.
Type of Stress: Tension
Definition: Tension stress occurs when forces pull on an object, causing it to stretch or become longer in length. This stress causes the object to experience an increase in volume.
Type of plate boundary this occurs at: Tension stress commonly occurs at divergent plate boundaries or where two tectonic plates are moving away from each other.
What does it cause: Tension stress can result in the formation of normal faults and the stretching and thinning of Earth's crust.
Type of Stress: Shear
Definition: Shear stress occurs when forces act in opposite directions parallel to each other, causing one part of an object to slide or move in relation to another part. This stress causes deformation and can result in the formation of faults.
Type of plate boundary this occurs at: Shear stress commonly occurs at transform plate boundaries or where two tectonic plates are sliding past each other horizontally.
What does it cause: Shear stress can result in the formation of strike-slip faults, earthquakes, and offset streams or features along the plate boundary.
Type of Stress: Compression
Type of Stress:
1. Compression: This occurs when two tectonic plates push against each other, resulting in a decrease in the distance between them. It is a type of stress that causes the rocks to squeeze together.
2. Tension: This occurs when two tectonic plates are being pulled apart, resulting in an increase in the distance between them. It is a type of stress that causes rocks to stretch and thin.
3. Shear: This occurs when two tectonic plates slide past each other horizontally, causing them to rub against one another. It is a type of stress that produces a twisting or tearing motion.
Definition:
Stress refers to the forces acting on rocks or materials within the Earth's lithosphere. These forces exert pressure on the rocks and can cause deformation.
Type of plate boundary this occurs at:
1. Compression: It commonly occurs at convergent plate boundaries where two plates collide or push against each other, such as subduction zones or collision zones.
2. Tension: It usually occurs at divergent plate boundaries where two plates move away from each other, creating a gap or rift in between.
3. Shear: It typically occurs at transform plate boundaries where two plates slide past each other horizontally.
What does it cause:
1. Compression: It causes the rocks to be shortened and thickened. This can result in the formation of mountain ranges, such as the Himalayas, when continental plates collide.
2. Tension: It causes the rocks to be stretched and thinned. This can lead to the formation of rift valleys, such as the East African Rift, where the lithosphere is pulling apart.
3. Shear: It causes the rocks to slide past each other. This can result in the formation of faults, such as the San Andreas Fault in California, where earthquakes occur due to the accumulated stress and strain.