fracture

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$False-colour perspective view of coronae (rendered here in red and yellow) on Sedna Planitia, Venus. Surrounding each corona is a characteristic pattern of fracture lines; the yellow areas in the foreground are probably lava flows. This image is based on observations made by the Magellan spacecraft, and is slightly exaggerated in the vertical.$

fracture

in geology

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June 17, 2026

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False-colour perspective view of coronae (rendered here in red and yellow) on Sedna Planitia, Venus. Surrounding each corona is a characteristic pattern of fracture lines; the yellow areas in the foreground are probably lava flows. This image is based on observations made by the Magellan spacecraft, and is slightly exaggerated in the vertical.

In geology, a fracture refers to the appearance of a broken surface that doesn't follow natural cleavage planes. These fractures can manifest in various ways, including conchoidal (curved, shell-like), even, uneven, hackly (jagged), and splintery.1

Fractures are a key aspect of structural geology, which studies the geometric relationships of rocks and geological features. When rocks are deformed, they can develop secondary structures like faults and joints. A fault is a fracture where rocks on either side have moved relative to each other, while a joint is a fracture without displacement. Strike-slip faults, for instance, involve horizontal movement parallel to the fracture's strike. Submarine fracture zones are long, narrow underwater features that separate ocean ridges of differing depths. The movement along faults can cause earthquakes.2345

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igneous rock
Fractures
These are straight or curving surfaces of rupture directly associated with the formation of a rock or later superimposed upon it. Primary fractures generally can be related to emplacement or to subsequent cooling of the host rock mass. The columnar jointing found in many…
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These are straight or curving surfaces of rupture directly associated with the formation of a rock or later superimposed upon it. Primary fractures generally can be related to emplacement or to subsequent cooling of the host rock mass. The columnar jointing found in many…
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rock
Stress-strain relationships
…nearly until the point of fracture (denoted X), whereas the ductile (plastically deformable) material is elastic up to the yield point but then has a range of plastic deformation before fracturing. The ability to undergo large permanent deformation before fracture is called ductility. For plastic deformation, the flow mechanisms are…
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…nearly until the point of fracture (denoted X), whereas the ductile (plastically deformable) material is elastic up to the yield point but then has a range of plastic deformation before fracturing. The ability to undergo large permanent deformation before fracture is called ductility. For plastic deformation, the flow mechanisms are…
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volcano
Rift volcanoes
…the near-surface rocks, which then fracture along steeply dipping cracks parallel to the rift. Basaltic magma rising along these fractures causes Icelandic-type fissure eruptions.
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…the near-surface rocks, which then fracture along steeply dipping cracks parallel to the rift. Basaltic magma rising along these fractures causes Icelandic-type fissure eruptions.
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