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Rocks will fold when the heat and pressure are significant enough to allow "plastic or ductile deformation" to occur, giving rise to folds or bends. Before this point, deformation is "brittle", and is associated with faulting/cracking of the rock.

Rocks rarely melt in the lithosphere. Melting only occurs when temperatures are extremely high (say at a contact zone with an igneous intrusion) or if water is added, say in a subduction zone. Even when rocks do melt, complete melting almost never occurs, and only a small fraction of the bulk rock will melt. This is because reactions between heated minerals result in the formation of new minerals which are stable at higher temperature or pressure.

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What is the process in which rocks first bend and then break?

The process in which rocks first bend and then break is called deformation. Deformation occurs when rocks experience stress, which can be caused by tectonic forces, pressure, or temperature changes. Initially, rocks may bend or fold under this stress, but if the stress is too great, the rocks can eventually break or fracture.


What types of forces or stresses produces folds in rocks?

Folds in rocks are mainly produced by compressional forces, such as when tectonic plates collide or when rocks are subjected to intense pressure from overlying materials. These forces cause the rocks to deform and bend, resulting in folds. Other factors like temperature, time, and rock composition can also affect the formation of folds in rocks.


Do Rocks fold typically form under the influence of compressive stress?

No, rocks do not typically form folds under the influence of compressive stress. Folds in rocks are usually formed by tectonic forces such as compression, which causes the rocks to bend and fold. Compressive stress can lead to faulting and fracturing of rocks, rather than folding.


Why do some rocks bend while other rocks break?

This depends on the confining pressure, the temperature and the strain rate applied to the rock mass. In general, the lower the rate of strain, the more likely ductile or plastic deformation leading to bending or folding will occur. The higher the strain rate, the more likely brittle deformation is to occur, leading to the rock "breaking". As the confining pressure increases, a materials shear strength will increase (this usually coincides with a greater depth of burial) and due to the Earth's thermal gradient an increase in temperature. As the shear strength of the rock increases, the occurrence of brittle failure is less likely while the higher temperature means that plastic deformations are more likely to occur.


Why do rocks bend then break?

Even brittle solids have some elasticity, this allows for some bending before fracture. However rocks in the ground are complex substances and full of water, this changes their properties as compared to rocks at outcrop. Also you must understand that the forces that deform rocks are applied very slowly. Rock deformation and fracture is a very complex subject.

Related Questions

Can glass bend under pressure?

Yes, glass can bend under pressure to a certain extent before breaking.


What is formed when rocks bend under stress but do not break?

Folds are geologic structures that are formed when rocks bend but do not break.


What is the process in which rocks first bend and then break?

The process in which rocks first bend and then break is called deformation. Deformation occurs when rocks experience stress, which can be caused by tectonic forces, pressure, or temperature changes. Initially, rocks may bend or fold under this stress, but if the stress is too great, the rocks can eventually break or fracture.


What two things are needed so rocks can bend?

Heat and pressure


What can form when a compression squeezes rocks at a convergent place boundary?

Mountains


What is it called when rocks bend instead of breaking?

When rocks bend instead of breaking, it is called ductile deformation. This typically occurs under high pressure and temperature conditions deep within the Earth's crust where rocks are able to deform and flow rather than fracture.


What feature is formed when rocks bend under stress but do not break?

A fold is formed when rocks bend under stress but do not break, creating a curve or ripple in the rock layers. This can happen due to tectonic forces pushing or squeezing the rocks. Types of folds include anticlines and synclines.


Why does a piece of paper bend as you blow under?

When you blow under a piece of paper, the air flow creates a low-pressure area under the paper, causing it to bend towards the side with higher pressure (usually the top side). The pressure difference between the top and bottom of the paper results in a lifting force that causes the paper to bend.


When rocks bend with out breaking because of plate movement its called?

When rocks bend without breaking due to plate movement, it is called ductile deformation. This occurs when rocks undergo plastic deformation under high temperatures and pressures, causing them to bend or fold rather than fracture.


What are some things that are rigid?

Steel, rocks, and concrete are examples of rigid materials that do not easily bend or deform under pressure. Other examples include wooden blocks, metal rods, and ceramic tiles.


What three rocks form when rocks bend?

When rocks bend, they can form folds, such as anticlines, synclines, and monoclines. These folds are structures caused by the pressure and movement within the Earth's crust, resulting in the bending and deformation of rocks.


What types of forces or stresses produces folds in rocks?

Folds in rocks are mainly produced by compressional forces, such as when tectonic plates collide or when rocks are subjected to intense pressure from overlying materials. These forces cause the rocks to deform and bend, resulting in folds. Other factors like temperature, time, and rock composition can also affect the formation of folds in rocks.