Pottery fracture results from stress within a ceramic body due to thermal expansion and contraction, shrinkage, and other forces.
Poor drying or uneven compression and alignment of particles can result in low strength.
A lack of compression in the bottom while throwing results in a commonly seen "s" crack on the underneath of the pot.
Fractures caused by thermal shock called dunting occur during the firing process and are witnessed in the bisqueware stage.
Latent or dormant cracks which went unnoticed in greenware may appear in bisqued ware after firing.