ductile deformation

Ductile deformation refers to the way certain materials, like metals or rocks under high temperature and pressure, bend or stretch slowly without breaking. Instead of snapping apart, they change shape gradually, similar to how warm plastic or clay can be molded. This process is common deep within the Earth's crust, where rocks deform over long periods, allowing them to flow and form features like folds in mountain ranges. Ductile deformation helps accommodate stress in materials, resulting in permanent shape change without fracture.