structural geology

structural geology
Tectonics Tec*ton"ics, n. 1. The science, or the art, by which implements, vessels, dwellings, or other edifices, are constructed, both agreeably to the end for which they are designed, and in conformity with artistic sentiments and ideas. [1913 Webster]

2. (Geol. & Phys. Geog.) the branch of geology concerned with the rock structures and external forms resulting from the deformation of the earth's crust; also, similar studies of other planets. Also called {structural geology}. [PJC]

{plate tectonics} a geological theory which considers the earth's crust as divided into a number of large relatively rigid plates, which move relatively independently on the more plastic asthenosphere under the influence of magmatic upwellings, so as to drift apart, slide past, or collide with each other, causing the formation, breakup, or merging of continents, and causing volcanism, the building of mountain ranges, and the subduction of one plate beneath another. In recent decades a large body of data have accumulated to support the theory and provide some details of the mechanisms at work. One set of supporting observations consists of data showing that the continents have slowly moved relative to each other over long periods of time, a phenomenon called {continental drift}. Africa and South America, for example, have apparently moved apart from a connected configuration at about 2 to 3 cm per year over tens of millions of years. [PJC]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

Игры ⚽ Поможем решить контрольную работу

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Structural geology — is the study of the three dimensional distribution of rock bodies and their planar or folded surfaces, and their internal fabrics . Structural geology includes features of and overlaps with facets of geomorphology, metamorphism and geotechnical… …   Wikipedia

  • structural geology — the branch of geology dealing with the structure and distribution of the rocks that make up the crust of the earth. Also called tectonics. Cf. structure (def. 7a). [1880 85] * * * Scientific discipline concerned with rock deformation on both… …   Universalium

  • structural geology — noun : a branch of geology that deals with the form, arrangement, and internal structure of rocks called also geotectonic geology * * * the branch of geology dealing with the structure and distribution of the rocks that make up the crust of the… …   Useful english dictionary

  • structural geology — struktūrinė geologija statusas T sritis ekologija ir aplinkotyra apibrėžtis Geotektonikos šaka, tirianti uolienų slūgsojimo Žemės plutoje formas ir jų kilmę. atitikmenys: angl. structural geology vok. Strukturgeologie, f rus. структурная геология …   Ekologijos terminų aiškinamasis žodynas

  • structural geology —    That part of geology dealing with structures formed in rocks [16] …   Lexicon of Cave and Karst Terminology

  • Geology — Ge*ol o*gy, n.; pl. {Geologies}. [Gr. ge a, gh^, the earth + logy: cf. F. g[ e]ologie.] [1913 Webster] 1. The science which treats: (a) Of the structure and mineral constitution of the globe; structural geology. (b) Of its history as regards… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • geology — /jee ol euh jee/, n., pl. geologies. 1. the science that deals with the dynamics and physical history of the earth, the rocks of which it is composed, and the physical, chemical, and biological changes that the earth has undergone or is… …   Universalium

  • Geology of the Iberian Peninsula — The geology of the Iberian Peninsula consists of the study of the rock formations on the Iberian Peninsula, which includes Spain, Portugal, Andorra, and Gibraltar. The peninsula contains rocks from every age from Ediacaran to Recent, and almost… …   Wikipedia

  • Geology of Indonesia — This is a brief summary of the geology of Indonesia. The details are stored in Wikibooks [http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/The Geology of Indonesia] Tectonics The tectonics of Indonesia is very complex as it is a meeting point of several tectonic… …   Wikipedia

  • Geology — Oceanic crustContinental Crust] Geology (from Greek: γη, gê , earth ; and λόγος, logos , speech lit. to talk about the earth) is the science and study of the solid and liquid matter that constitute the Earth. The field of geology encompasses the… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”