surface-related fractures

Fractures whose origin is associated with the creation of free, unsupported surfaces in rock (unloading, slumping, and spalling).

Related terms:

• Contractional fractures
• tectonic fractures
• Dessication fractures
• synaeresis fractures
• regional fractures
• concentric fractures
• isotimic surface
• microscopic feather fractures (mff)