Motion from tectonic plates puts pressure or stress on rocks. What are the three types of stress?

Answer 1

The three types of stress that rocks can experience due to motion from tectonic plates are:

1. Compressive stress: This occurs when rocks are pushed together, causing them to shorten and thicken. It commonly happens at convergent plate boundaries where two plates collide.

2. Tensional stress: This happens when rocks are pulled apart, causing them to elongate and thin. It commonly occurs at divergent plate boundaries where two plates move away from each other.

3. Shear stress: This occurs when rocks are being pushed in opposite horizontal directions, causing them to deform and slide past each other. It commonly occurs at transform plate boundaries where two plates slide past each other horizontally.