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Why is faulting more likely to occur near the surface than deep within the earth?
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
In geology, faulting refers to the brittle failure of rock masses. This means that they lose cohesion (break into more than one piece) and that a fracture or fractures form through the material. In geology a large fracture which displays relative motion of the rockmass on either side is known as a fault.
Faulting occurs where strain rates are large (this means that the material deforms or changes shape quickly) and there are relatively low temperatures and confining pressures at shallower depths within the Earth's lithosphere. These conditions allow fractures to propagate through the rock causing faulting.
As the depth within the Earth increases, the confining pressure and temperature will increase (asthenosphere and mesosphere). Both of these factors act to stop the formation of fractures within the material. This means that brittle failure can not occur and instead leads to ductile deformation which is why the rocks fold rather than fracture so faults are not formed at greater depths.
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
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Why is the faulting most likely to occur near the earth surface and not deep within the earth?
There are two reasons. First, faulting is a form of brittle failure, which generally occurs at lower temperatures. Deep in the crust, where it is very hot, rocks tend to undergo ductile failure, deforming like taffy. Additionally, most materials resist breaking at higher overall pressure.
How earthquakes have changed the surface and atmosphere of the earth over millions of years?
EARTHQUAKES have changes the earth in many ways. The folding and faulting of the earth crust have left big cracks in the earths crust. The folding and faulting only happen on the tectonic boundaries. TECTONIC BOUNDARIES: The plates that make up the earths contents.
What are the effects of diastrophism?
The effects of diastrophism are so many on the surface of the earth and include formation of mountains, plateaus and may cause tremors and earthquakes.
If granite within earth melts and then erupts at the surface what type of extrusive rock is likely to form?
A felsic extrusive igneous rock, such as rhyolite or obsidian.
Where is a meteoroid when it is 75 km above earth's surface?
When a meteoroid is 75 km above earth's surface, it is within the troposphere.
Why is the faulting most likely to occur near the earth surface and not deep within the earth?
There are two reasons. First, faulting is a form of brittle failure, which generally occurs at lower temperatures. Deep in the crust, where it is very hot, rocks tend to undergo ductile failure, deforming like taffy. Additionally, most materials resist breaking at higher overall pressure.
Shock waves that are felt on the earths surface as the result of faulting in the Earth's crust?
earthquakes :)
How do faulting and folding change the appearance of the earth's surface?
It forms mountain ranges, plateaus, valleys, and etc.
Shock waves that are felt on the earth's surface as the results of faulting in the crust are called?
Seismic waves or tremors
How have convection currents changed the surface of the earth?
Convection currents occur in the semi-molten mantle. They are created by heat within the earth. As the mantle heats, the rock rises. When it cools, it sinks back down. This movement causes changes in the surface of the Earth.
What is diastrophism?
Diastrophism is the general term for faulting and folding within the crust, the deformation and movement of the solid rocks of the Earth.
How earthquakes have changed the surface and atmosphere of the earth over millions of years?
EARTHQUAKES have changes the earth in many ways. The folding and faulting of the earth crust have left big cracks in the earths crust. The folding and faulting only happen on the tectonic boundaries. TECTONIC BOUNDARIES: The plates that make up the earths contents.
What is the Movement within the earth that cause buried rock to be exposed at the earths surface?
The movement within the Earth that causes buried rock to be exposed at the Earth's surface is called uplift. It refers to the vertical elevation of the Earth's surface.
What is a movement within the earth that causes buried rock to be exposed at the earth's surface called?
The movement within the Earth that causes buried rock to be exposed at the Earth's surface is called uplift. It refers to the vertical elevation of the Earth's surface.
Surface of the earth contained within what layer of the atmosphere?
Surface of earth is in the troposphere range. The troposphere is the nearest layer to the earth.
What are the effects of diastrophism?
The effects of diastrophism are so many on the surface of the earth and include formation of mountains, plateaus and may cause tremors and earthquakes.
Where are most of earth's atmospheric gases found?
Within 8 to 12 KM of Earth's surface
