Competence (geology)
In geology competence refers to the degree of resistance of rocks to deformation or flow.[1] In mining 'competent rocks' are those in which an unsupported opening can be made.[2]
Characteristics
 |
Competent rocks are more commonly exposed at
metamorphic grade
, but become highly incompetent at high metamorphic grade.
Most sedimentary and volcanic sequences show layering between different lithologies. When affected by deformation the response of the sequence depends on the competence of the various layers.
Crystal plasticity becomes more important as the temperature increases and the relative deformability of individual minerals controls the competence of particular rock units.
References
- ISBN 978-0-521-51664-8. Retrieved 1 April 2011.
- ISBN 978-90-247-3660-7. Retrieved 1 April 2011.
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