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History
Joint (geology)
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A joint is a break (fracture) of natural origin in a layer or body of rock that lacks visible or measurable movement parallel to the surface (plane) of the fracture. Although joints can occur singly, they most frequently appear as joint sets and systems. A joint set is a family of parallel, evenly spaced joints that can be identified through mapping and analysis of their orientations, spacing, and physical properties. A joint system consists of two or more intersecting joint sets.
Horizontal joints in the sedimentary rocks of the foreground and a more varied set of joints in the granitic rocks in the background. Image from the K
Horizontal joints in the sedimentary rocks of the foreground and a more varied set of joints in the granitic rocks in the background. Image from the Kazakh Uplands in Balkhash District, Kazakhstan.
Orthogonal joint sets on a bedding plane in flagstones, Caithness, Scotland
Orthogonal joint sets on a bedding plane in flagstones, Caithness, Scotland
Joints in the Almo Pluton, City of Rocks National Reserve, Idaho.
Joints in the Almo Pluton, City of Rocks National Reserve, Idaho.
A rock in Abisko fractured along existing joints possibly by mechanical frost weathering
A rock in Abisko fractured along existing joints possibly by mechanical frost weathering
Fracture (geology)
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A fracture is any separation in a geologic formation, such as a joint or a fault that divides the rock into two or more pieces. A fracture will sometimes form a deep fissure or crevice in the rock. Fractures are commonly caused by stress exceeding the rock strength, causing the rock to lose cohesion along its weakest plane. Fractures can provide permeability for fluid movement, such as water or hydrocarbons. Highly fractured rocks can make good aquifers or hydrocarbon reservoirs, since they may possess both significant permeability and fracture porosity.
A fractured rock in the Eastern Cape in South Africa, a mechanism of brittle deformation in response to stress
A fractured rock in the Eastern Cape in South Africa, a mechanism of brittle deformation in response to stress
The concentric circles in this sandstone in Arizona are plumose (plume-like) structures that can form during the formation and propagation of a fractu
The concentric circles in this sandstone in Arizona are plumose (plume-like) structures that can form during the formation and propagation of a fracture
Cartoon examples of common tensile fracture mechanisms in laboratory rock samples. A) Axial stretching: tension is applied far from the crack. B) Hydr
Cartoon examples of common tensile fracture mechanisms in laboratory rock samples. A) Axial stretching: tension is applied far from the crack. B) Hydraulic fracturing: tension or compression is applied far away from the crack and fluid pressure increases, causing tension on the face of the cracks. C) Brazilian disc test: applied compressive loads parallel to the crack cause the sides of the disk to bulge out and tension to occur on the crack faces.
Rough surfaces on a piece of fractured granite
Rough surfaces on a piece of fractured granite