What process involves the bending of rock layers due to stress in the Earth's crust?

The process that involves the bending of rock layers due to stress in the Earth's crust is referred to as folding. Folding occurs when tectonic forces cause rock layers to deform, creating bends or curves. This typically happens over long periods, allowing the rocks to slowly bend rather than break.

When rocks are subjected to compressive stress, they may fold to accommodate the movement of tectonic plates. This results in various types of folds, such as anticlines (upward-arching folds) and synclines (downward-arching folds). Folding is significant in geological formations and is often associated with mountain-building processes.

In contrast, faulting refers to the breaking and displacement of rock layers, which usually occurs more abruptly when stresses exceed the strength of the rocks. Crustal rebound describes the phenomenon of the Earth's crust rising after being compressed, such as after the melting of glaciers. Subduction involves one tectonic plate being forced under another, often leading to geological phenomena like earthquakes and volcanic activity. Each of these processes has distinct characteristics and consequences in the Earth's geology, but folding specifically pertains to the bending of rock layers under stress.