Why do rocks deform?

What will be an ideal response?


Answer: "Stress is the magnitude of a force applied over an indicated area, and strain is the measure of the amount of deformation that results from the stress. Rock strength is the amount of stress that the material can endure before it strains. When applied stress exceeds the strength of a rock, the rock deforms by folding, faulting, or flowing. Compressive stress shortens rocks parallel to the stress direction, whereas tensional stress elongates rocks. Shear stress moves materials in opposite directions without shortening or elongation."

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences

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