Earth Dynamics

Front

Equilibrium between continental crust and the denser mantle below it.

Back

Isostasy

Front

Compression

Back

Stress resulting from squeezing

Front

Shear

Back

Stress resulting from parallel forces acting in opposite directions

Front

Tension

Back

Stress that pulls something apart

Front

Strain

Back

Change in shape of rock caused by stress

Front

Area of many fractured pieces of crust along a large fault.

Back

fault zone

Front

Upward vertical motion of Earth's surface.

Back

uplift

Front

Downward vertical motion of Earth's surface.

Back

subsidence

Front

Deep underwater trough created by one plate sub-ducting under another plate at a convergent plate boundary.

Back

ocean trench

Front

Area where tectonic plates slide horizontally past each other.

Back

transform fault