What Is Shearing in Geology?

••• SteveCollender/iStock/GettyImages

In the world of geology, the term “shearing” describes a distinct motion of two rock surfaces against each other. It is most often caused by intense pressure under the earth’s crust.

Description

Shearing can be described as the lateral movement of one rock surface against another. This motion alters the rocks, causing them to change shape as they slide against each other.

Effects

Many times, shearing causes minerals to split in a formation known as cleavage. Under other circumstances, the rocks develop a pattern of parallel lines called a schist.

Where It Occurs

Shearing commonly occurs along the edges of tectonic plates, although it may occur in other places as well. Most often it takes place between 10 and 20 kilometers beneath the earth’s surface. If the same process occurred at the surface, it would result in fracturing and faulting.

Zones

Widespread shearing results in geological features called shearing zones. These zones may cover several miles or just a few centimeters.

Related Articles

Three Types of Boundaries Between Lithospheric Plates
What Causes Geologic Tilting?
What Factors Cause Mechanical Weathering?
Types of Rocks Found in the Himalayas
What Are the Properties of Metamorphic Rocks?
What Are Convergent, Divergent & Transform Boundaries?
The Effects of Physical Weathering
What Are the Types of Stresses in the Earth's Crust?
What Forms in Divergent Boundaries?
What Is the Primary Force That Causes the Seafloor...
Forms of Mechanical Weathering
What Are the Three Different Types of Convergent Boundaries?
Interesting Facts About Quartzite
What Is a Fracture on Earth?
What Kind of Eruption Would You Expect at a Rift?
What Best Describes the Relationship Between Earth's...
What Forms When Two Continental Plates Collide?
The Difference Between Metaconglomerate & Conglomerate
Landforms of Plate Boundaries
Landforms Caused by Plate Tectonics

Dont Go!

We Have More Great Sciencing Articles!