Final answer:
The three types of differential stress in Earth's lithosphere are compression, where rocks are pushed together, tension, where they are pulled apart, and shear, where rocks slide past each other horizontally.
Step-by-step explanation:
There are three types of differential stress in Earth's lithosphere which contribute to plate tectonics, the structures of the crust, and geologic activity. These stresses result from the movement of the lithospheric plates and they are:
- Compression: This occurs when rocks are pushed together by compressional forces.
- Tension: This occurs when rocks are pulled apart due to tensional forces.
- Shear: This stress is a result of rocks moving horizontally past each other in opposite directions due to shear forces.
These stresses can cause various geologic features and phenomena such as earthquakes, mountain building, and the formation of faults, including normal, reverse, thrust, and strike-slip faults. The type of boundary between tectonic plates - divergent, convergent, or transform - influences the kind of stress and geological features that will form as a result.