Tension (geology)

In geology, the term "tension" refers to a stress which stretches rocks in two opposite directions.

[1] One way in particular that joints can be formed is due to fluid pressure, as well as at the crest of folds in rocks.

This occurs at the peak of the fold or due to the fluid pressure because a localized tensile stress forms, eventually leading to jointing.

As the compression is lifted from the rocks, they are able to react to the tension on them by forming these breaks, or joints.

The cooling and sinking ocean crust causes a tensile stress that also helps drive the pulling apart of the plates at the ridge axis.