Earth Sciences 1070A/B Lecture 8: Unit 8 - Crustal Deformation and Structural Geology

• School: Western University
• Department: Earth Sciences
• Course: Earth Sciences 1070A/B
• Professor: Natalie Pietrzak- Renaud

Document Summary

Crustal deformation the large scale tectonic forces that deform the crustal rocks of the earth. These forces crate mountains, shift islands, and move rock past on fault zones. Structural geologists - stud(cid:455) the a(cid:396)(cid:272)hite(cid:272)tu(cid:396)e of the ea(cid:396)th"s crust and the forces that influence deformation on that architecture. By analyzing the orientations of folds and faults, and small scale deformation structures, geologists can reconstruct the original tectonic setting and the sequence of deformation that affected the rock. Deformation a general term that refers to all the changes in the orientation and location of rock. Most occurs proximal to plate margins where segments of lithosphere move relative to one another and generate tectonic forces that cause large scale rock deformation. Stress the amount or degree of force applied to a given area. Magnitude of stress is determined as a function of the amount of force applied and relates to the area on which the force acts.