User:Mangombe/Deformation mechanism

Deformation mechanism (Geology) Deformation mechanisms refer to the various processes occurring at micro-scale that are responsible for changes in rocks internal structures, shapes and volume[1][2].

Deformation mechanism processes Deformation mechanism is commonly characterised as brittle or plastic and brittle-plastic. The driving mechanism responsible is a subject of interplay between internal (e.g Composition, grain size and lattice-preferred orientation) and external (e.g temperature, fluid pressure) factors[1][2]. Common deformation mechanisms studied in rocks are:

Fracturing Cataclastic flow Diffusive mass transfer Grain-boundary sliding Dislocation creep These mechanism produces a range of micro-structures studied in rocks to constrain the conditions, rheology, dynamics and motions of tectonic events[3]. More than one mechanism may be active under a given set of conditions and some mechanisms can develop independently.

Fracturing Fracturing is a brittle deformations process where the rock grains are crushed, girded, displaced to a point where the rock rupture as ultimate rock strength is exceeded[1][2]. This usually happens when a rock accumulates a high differential stress (the difference between the maximum and minimum stress acting on the object), resulting in permanently change to the internal grain structures[1][2]. Independent to interconnected linear discontinuous features in rocks are occasionally evident of fracturing[2].

Passchier, C. W. (Cees W.), 1954- (1996). Microtectonics. Trouw, R. A. J. (Rudolph A. J.), 1944-. Berlin: New York. ISBN 3540587136. OCLC 34128501. Fossen, Haakon, 1961-. Structural geology (Second edition ed.). Cambridge, United Kingdom. ISBN 9781107057647. OCLC 946008550. Knipe, R.J (1989-1). "Deformation mechanisms — recognition from natural tectonites". Journal of Structural Geology. 11 (1–2): 127–146. doi:10.1016/0191-8141(89)90039-4. Check date values in: |date= (help)