Talk:Competence (geology)

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Like many commonly used terms in geology, the meaning of 'competence' is generally assumed to be understood in the literature, which is going to make it difficult to find the necessary references, but bear with me, I expect that I will eventually find sufficient to support the text that I've added. Mikenorton (talk) 10:24, 1 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Limestone is mentioned in the 'Resistance to erosion' section but is also known for eroding readily due to it solubility in water. Can anyone provide some more information? --Spasemunki (talk) 06:17, 19 December 2018 (UTC)[reply]

Information is easy, supporting sources less so. Competence in geological usage refers to mechanical strength, whether we're referring to resistance to erosion or deformation. The chemical erosion that affects limestone is a very different process. Mikenorton (talk) 17:48, 19 December 2018 (UTC)[reply]

So I was able to access the reference used in the intro, and it defines competence only in terms of mechanical strength and flow resistance (viscosity), not erosion resistance. I've seen a few web sources too (mindat.org), and they seem to define competency only in terms of the ability to maintain a void without support structures or resistance to deformation. Seems like erosion resistance is only a possible consequence of mechanical strength rather than being definitive of competent rock. Fresh limestone and sandstone are competent in comparison to shale and mudstone, but both readily erode under the right conditions and this article refers to weathered beds of otherwise competent rock as incompetent. Is including erosion resistance in the definition of competence maybe not the conventional definition? --Spasemunki (talk) 20:16, 19 December 2018 (UTC)[reply]