Vidal Romaní, Juan RamónTwidale, C. R.Campbell, E. M.Centeno Carrillo, Juan de Dios2010-01-222010-01-221995Cadernos do Laboratorio Xeolóxico de Laxe, 1995, 20: 307-346 ISSN: 0213-44970213-4497http://hdl.handle.net/2183/6190[Abstract] Sheet fractures are well and widely developed in massive rocks, i.e., rocks lacking other partings, and they have been discussed in the literature for more than a century. Yet there is no agreement as to their origino Two contrasted interpretations hold sway. Almost without exception, geologist adhere to the pressure release or erosional offloading hypothesis. Engineers and engineering geologist, on the other hand, interpret sheet partings as buckling, i.e., crumpling or bending out of plane, related to compressive stresses, particularly lateral stresses. After a review of nomenclature and a description of the characteristics of sheet fractures, a critique ofprevious explanations of their origin is presented. What are perceived to be critical Enes of structural and morphological evidence. bearing on the origin ofsheet fracture are next reviewed, and this is followed by a discusion of the possible origins of the structures.spaSheet fracturesOffloading hypothesisPressure release jointsjournal articleopen access