Brittle deformation due to a momentary loss of cohesion or loss of resistance to differential stress and a release of stored elastic energy. Both joints and faults are fractures
Lynn M. Highland of USGS and Peter Bobrowsky of Geological Survey of Canada, U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey USGS,Circular 1325, The Landslide Handbook (a Guide to Understanding Landslides), Appendix A: Basic Information about Landslides Landslide, Part 1: Glossary of Landslide Terms, Washington, DC, USA 2013. http://pubs.usgs.gov/circ/1325/pdf/Sections/Append ixA.pdf, (ND/ Lndsld - Amer) {924}