Geosyncline: meaning, definitions and examples
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geosyncline
[ ˌdʒiːoʊˈsɪn.kl.aɪn ]
geological term
A geosyncline is a large-scale depression in the Earth's crust that has been filled with sedimentary deposits. This geological structure is often associated with mountain building and tectonic activity. Generally, geosynclines are significant because they provide insight into the geological history of the region. They can be classified into two types: the retro-arc and foreland types, depending on their relation to the orogenic belts. Understanding geosynclines is crucial for studying the formation of sedimentary basins and the processes of continental drift.
Synonyms
geological trough, sedimentary basin
Examples of usage
- Geologists studied the ancient geosyncline to understand past sediment deposits.
- The Appalachian Mountains were formed from the uplift of a geosyncline.
- Research on geosynclines helps predict areas of oil and mineral deposits.
- The characteristics of the geosyncline provide clues about past environmental conditions.
Translations
Translations of the word "geosyncline" in other languages:
🇵🇹 geossinclinal
🇮🇳 जियोसिंकलिन
🇩🇪 Geosynklinal
🇮🇩 geosinklin
🇺🇦 геосинклін
🇵🇱 geosynklina
🇯🇵 地層沈降帯
🇫🇷 géosynclinal
🇪🇸 geosinclinal
🇹🇷 jeosinklin
🇰🇷 지구침강대
🇸🇦 جيوسينكلين
🇨🇿 geosynklinální
🇸🇰 geosynklína
🇨🇳 地层沉降带
🇸🇮 geosinklinal
🇮🇸 jarðsíklíngur
🇰🇿 геосинклин
🇬🇪 გეოსინკლინალი
🇦🇿 geosinklin
🇲🇽 geosinclinal
Etymology
The term 'geosyncline' was coined in the late 19th century by American geologist James Hall, derived from the Greek words 'geo', meaning 'earth', and 'syncline', which refers to a fold in the rock layers that is bent downward. As geology developed as a science, the concept of geosynclines was used to explain large expanses of sedimentary rock and their relation to mountain ranges and tectonic plate activity. Over time, the understanding of geosynclines evolved with advances in plate tectonics, leading to a more nuanced view of the processes that shape the Earth's crust. Geosynclines were once seen as primary factors in mountain-building processes, but modern geology recognizes that they are part of a more complex system of interactions within the crust.