Stress

Stress

In geology, stress refers to the force per unit area exerted on a material, such as rock, within the Earth’s crust. This stress is generally as a result of tectonic or volcanic forces generated by the movement of tectonic plates and other geological processes. Stress can cause deformation in rocks, leading to various geological phenomena, including faulting, folding, and the formation of mountains. 

There are three main types of geologic stresses: 

1. Tensional or Extensional Stress – pulls or stretches a material causing elongation or thinning.  

2. Compressional Stress – pushes or squeezes a material causing shortening or thickening.  

3. Shear Stress – causes two adjacent parts of a material to slide past each other in opposite directions.