What geological process is characterized by the bending or folding of rocks due to stress from converging plates?

The geological process characterized by the bending or folding of rocks due to stress from converging plates is known as compression. When tectonic plates converge, they push against each other, creating immense stress in the Earth's crust. This stress causes the rocks to deform, resulting in folds, faults, and other structural features. Compression is a fundamental process that shapes the Earth's landscape, particularly in mountainous regions where these converging plates are common.

In contrast, uplift refers to the process where land is raised due to geological forces, but this doesn't specifically focus on the bending or folding of the rocks. Subduction involves one plate being pushed beneath another, leading to volcanic activity and deep ocean trenches, rather than directly causing folds. Weathering is the breaking down of rocks at the Earth's surface and does not involve the deep geological stresses that fold or bend rock layers. Thus, compression best fits the description of the bending or folding of rocks under stress from tectonic activity.