structural geology

structural geology, scientific discipline that is concerned with rock deformation on both a large and a small scale. Its scope of study is vast, ranging from submicroscopic lattice defects in crystals to fault structures and fold systems of the Earth’s crust. A brief treatment of structural geology follows. For full treatment, see geology: Structural geology. The methods of structural geology are nearly as diverse as those of the geologic sciences as a whole. Small-scale structural...