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Define discontinuity
Short answer
A discontinuity is a plane of weakness in a rock mass with negligible tensile strength, such as joints, faults, bedding, or foliation. It reduces rock mass strength, increases permeability, and controls slope and tunnel stability.
Define discontinuity.
A discontinuity is any plane or surface of separation in a rock mass across which the rock has negligible tensile strength and which interrupts the physical continuity of the rock. It is a general term covering bedding planes, joints, foliation, cleavage, faults, shear zones and thrusts.
- Discontinuities make a rock mass weaker, more permeable and more deformable than intact rock.
- Their orientation, spacing, persistence, roughness, aperture and filling control slope stability, tunnel behaviour, seepage and foundation safety.
- In the Nepal Himalaya, the major regional discontinuities are the MFT, MBT, MCT and STDS.
✓ Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort)