15.1: What Is Crustal Deformation?
What Is Crustal Deformation?
The Earth is an active planet shaped by dynamic forces. Such forces can build mountains or crumple and break rocks. As rocks respond to these forces (stress), they undergo deformation Links to an external site., which results in changes in shape, placement, and/or volume of the rocks. The resulting features (folds and faults) are termed geologic structures Links to an external site.. Deformation can produce dramatic and beautiful scenery, as evidenced in Figure 15.1, which shows the deformation of originally flat (horizontal) rock layers.
Figure 15.1: Impressive complex folding strata in the Himalayan mountain, Jammu & Kashmir, India.(CC-BY-NC-SA 3.0; Prakasam Muthus Links to an external site.)
A person who studies crustal deformation is referred to as a structural geologist Links to an external site.. A structural geologist is a geoscientist that studies the bends and breaks of rocks and the conditions under which they form. Like many other geoscientists, working with other disciplines is common, with a heavy influence from both math and technology. Many are employed by universities where they teach and/or do research. Other employers consist of museums, state and federal geological surveys, and exploration and mining companies. Becoming a structural geologist requires a college degree and typically postgraduate work. If this is of interest to you, talk to your geology instructor for advice. We recommend completing as many math and science courses as possible. Also, visit National Parks Links to an external site., CA State Parks Links to an external site., museums, gem & mineral shows, or join a local rock and mineral club. Typically, natural history museums will have wonderful displays of rocks, including those from your local region. Here in California, there are a number of large rock collections, including the San Diego Natural History Museum Links to an external site., Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County Links to an external site., Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Links to an external site., and Kimball Natural History Museum Links to an external site.. Many colleges and universities also have their own collections/museums.