graben

noun

gra·​ben ˈgrä-bən 

: a depressed segment of the crust of the earth or a celestial body (such as the moon) bounded on at least two sides by faults

Examples of graben in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The high Cascades from Hood to Three Sisters sit in a graben (valley) with faults bounding both sides of the range. —Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 17 June 2024

Overall, most of the graben were less than 50 meters deep. —John Timmer, Ars Technica, 3 Oct. 2023

Based on a relationship between graben length and depth as seen on the Earth and Moon, the authors estimate that most of the graben are less than 200 million years old and possibly quite a bit younger. —John Timmer, Ars Technica, 3 Oct. 2023

Germany’s Vulcan Energy believes this unusual geological formation, known as a graben, is the key to sustainably producing thousands of tons of the chemically reactive metal needed to power zero-emission cars. —Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 11 Dec. 2021

Word History

Etymology

German, ditch, from Old High German grabo, from graban to dig — more at grave entry 5

First Known Use

1896, in the meaning defined above