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Deformation of the Crust. Introduction. The earth’s surface is dynamic. The Himalayas, Rockies, Andes, and Grand Canyon are all visible reminders that the shape of the earth’s surface is always changing. These changes are all a result of the deformation of the earth’s crust. Deformation.
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Introduction The earth’s surface is dynamic. The Himalayas, Rockies, Andes, and Grand Canyon are all visible reminders that the shape of the earth’s surface is always changing. These changes are all a result of the deformation of the earth’s crust.
Deformation • The bending, tilting, and breaking of the earth’s crust. Plate tectonics is the major, but not only, cause of crustal deformation. • Two types of deformation: • Plastic – the bending/warping of crust. • Happens under high temperatures, pressures, and time. • Occurs deep under surface. • Brittle – the breaking of crust.
Stress vs. Strain • Stress – force that causes pressure on rocks that make up the earth’s crust. • Stress increases with depth. • Stress causes deformation. • Strain – deforming strata (layers of rocks) by folding them or faulting (breaking) them
Youngest Strata Oldest Strata Strata • All sedimentary rocks are originally deposited in flat (horizontal) layers called strata or beds. • Stress adds pressure to the strata • Strain deforms the strata
Types of Stress • Compression – rocks are squeezed together. • Strata thickens • Pushes rocks either higher up or down in crust • Tension – pulls rocks apart • Makes rock layers thinner • Shearing – pushes rocks in opposite horizontal directions
Stress + Plastic Deformation (strain) = Folding • Permanently deforming rocks because of plastic deformation causes the crust to fold. • Fold – wavelike structures in rock layers. • Most folds are a result of compression al strain
Is this a dome or a basin? The oldest rocks are on the inside. The youngest rocks are on the outside
Is there a dome or a basin under Michigan? THE ROCKS ON THE OUTSIDE ARE THE OLDEST, THE ROCKS ON THE INSIDE ARE THE NEWEST.