Type of Stress

Definition
Type of plate boundary this occurs at
What does it cause
Compression

Tension

Shear

1 answer

Type of Stress: Compression
Definition: Compression stress occurs when forces push or squeeze on an object, causing it to compress or become shorter in length. This stress causes the object to experience a decrease in volume.
Type of plate boundary this occurs at: Compression stress commonly occurs at convergent plate boundaries or where two tectonic plates are colliding.
What does it cause: Compression stress can result in the formation of reverse faults, mountain ranges, and folding of rock layers.

Type of Stress: Tension
Definition: Tension stress occurs when forces pull on an object, causing it to stretch or become longer in length. This stress causes the object to experience an increase in volume.
Type of plate boundary this occurs at: Tension stress commonly occurs at divergent plate boundaries or where two tectonic plates are moving away from each other.
What does it cause: Tension stress can result in the formation of normal faults and the stretching and thinning of Earth's crust.

Type of Stress: Shear
Definition: Shear stress occurs when forces act in opposite directions parallel to each other, causing one part of an object to slide or move in relation to another part. This stress causes deformation and can result in the formation of faults.
Type of plate boundary this occurs at: Shear stress commonly occurs at transform plate boundaries or where two tectonic plates are sliding past each other horizontally.
What does it cause: Shear stress can result in the formation of strike-slip faults, earthquakes, and offset streams or features along the plate boundary.