Which geological structure can result in both tension and compression due to movement?

Prepare for the Iowa State Geology Test. Study with flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each offering hints and explanations. Set yourself up for success on your exam!

A fault is a geological structure that can indeed result in both tension and compression due to the movement of tectonic plates. Faults occur when stress exceeds the strength of rocks, causing them to break and slip along a fracture.

When movement occurs along a fault, the type of stress involved determines the nature of the deformation. In areas of compression, rocks push against each other, causing them to deform and possibly uplift or fold. This is typically seen in convergent boundaries where tectonic plates collide, leading to the creation of mountain ranges and other features.

On the other hand, in regions where tension is present, the rocks are pulled apart. This can happen at divergent boundaries where tectonic plates move away from each other, leading to features like rift valleys. The shifting along faults under both tensional and compressional forces leads to various geological features and phenomena, such as earthquakes.

The other options, such as basins and domes, typically relate to the accumulation or uplift of sediments but are not directly responsible for the dynamic movement associated with both tensions and compressions like faults are. Additionally, joints are fractures in rocks that do not involve significant displacement; they are more about cracks than movement related to stress. Thus, faults are unique in their

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