Rock Deformation

• Three types of Deformation

  • Elastic Deformation - Rocks return to their original shape and size.
  • Ductile Deformation - Occurs when enough stress is applied to a material that the changes in its shape are permanent, and the material is no longer able to revert to its original shape.
  • Brittle Deformation - Occurs when rock is broken apart and is no longer coherent, as when limestone breaks apart when the earth's crust is ruptured.
• Mechanism of Rock Deformation - the process that tends to accommodate large strains in rocks, thus leading to a stable structure/microstructure to the rock.
• • Elastic Deformation - Rocks return to their original shape and size.
• • Ductile Deformation - Occurs when enough stress is applied to a material that the changes in its shape are permanent, and the material is no longer able to revert to its original shape.
• • Brittle Deformation - Occurs when rock is broken apart and is no longer coherent, as when limestone breaks apart when the earth's crust is ruptured.
• Folding mechanisms - Bending involves forces applied and acting at high angles to layers that may or may not have competence contrasts.
• Fault mechanism - a fracture or zone of fractures between two blocks of rock.
• Shearing mechanism - described as the lateral movement of one rock surface against another.
• Implications and Applications

  • Formation of Geological Structures
  • Resource Exploration and Extraction
  • Engineering Challenges and Solutions
  • Natural Hazard Assessment
  • Seismic Activity and Earthquake
  • Material Science and Engineering
  • Climate Change and Environmental