Tension

Definition

Tension is a type of stress that occurs when forces act to pull an object apart. In the context of plate tectonics, tension plays a crucial role in the formation and behavior of divergent plate boundaries, where tectonic plates are moving away from each other. This process can lead to the creation of new crust as magma rises to fill the gap, contributing to volcanic activity and the formation of mid-ocean ridges.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Tension is most commonly found at divergent plate boundaries where tectonic plates are moving apart, leading to geological features like rift valleys.
2. As tension builds up in the Earth's crust, it can lead to normal faults where the hanging wall moves downward relative to the footwall.
3. Divergent boundaries often result in volcanic activity due to magma rising to fill the gaps created by the separating plates.
4. Tension can also contribute to seismic activity as accumulated stress is released suddenly in earthquakes.
5. The process of tension and subsequent crustal stretching can create new ocean basins over geological time scales.

Review Questions

• How does tension influence geological features at divergent plate boundaries?
  • Tension at divergent plate boundaries causes tectonic plates to move away from each other, creating gaps that allow magma from the mantle to rise and solidify. This process leads to the formation of new oceanic crust and geological features like mid-ocean ridges. As these plates separate, tension can also create rift valleys and contribute to volcanic activity along these boundaries.
• Discuss how tension-related stress affects fault formation and earthquake activity.
  • When tension builds in the Earth's crust, it can lead to normal faults where one block of rock moves down relative to another. This movement is a direct result of the crust being stretched and pulled apart. As stress accumulates and exceeds the strength of the rocks, it is released suddenly, causing earthquakes that often occur near these normal faults associated with tension.
• Evaluate the long-term impacts of tension on Earth's geology and landscape formation.
  • Over long periods, tension significantly impacts Earth's geology by creating new landforms and altering existing ones. The continuous stretching and pulling associated with divergent boundaries leads to the development of rift valleys and mid-ocean ridges, while also facilitating volcanic eruptions that can reshape landscapes. The gradual accumulation of stress and release through seismic events contributes to the dynamic nature of Earth's crust, influencing not just geological structures but also ecosystems and human habitation patterns over time.

Related terms

Divergent Boundary: A tectonic plate boundary where two plates move away from each other, leading to the formation of new crust as magma rises.

Normal Fault: A type of fault that occurs when the crust is extended, resulting in one block of rock moving down relative to another block.

Mid-Ocean Ridge: An underwater mountain range formed by the upwelling of magma at divergent boundaries, creating new oceanic crust.