tectonism

noun

tec·​to·​nism ˈtek-tə-ˌni-zəm 

: the process of deformation that produces in the earth's crust its continents and ocean basins, plateaus and mountains, folds of strata, and faults

called also diastrophism

Examples of tectonism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

However, much of the Black Sea basin is bounded by passive margins, where no active tectonism is occurring -- not exactly the sort of place that a submarine volcanic eruption would occur. —Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 11 Jan. 2013

Word History

Etymology

tecton(ic) + -ism

First Known Use

1948, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

tectonism

noun

tec·​to·​nism ˈtek-tə-ˌniz-əm 

: the process of deformation that produces the earth's continents, ocean basins, mountains, folds, and faults