geosyncline

[ jee-oh-sin-klahyn ]

noun

, Geology.

1. a portion of the earth's crust subjected to downward warping during a large span of geologic time; a geosynclinal fold.

geosyncline

/ ˌdʒiːəʊˈsɪŋklaɪn /

noun

1. a broad elongated depression in the earth's crust containing great thicknesses of sediment

geosyncline

/ jē′ō-sĭn′klīn′ /

1. A usually elongate, basinlike depression along the edge of a continent, in which a thick sequence of sediments and volcanic deposits has accumulated.

Derived Forms

• ˌgeosynˈclinal, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of geosyncline¹

First recorded in 1890–95; geo- + syncline

Example Sentences

He said the pit is at the end of a geosyncline, a deposit of coal shaped like a canoe that stretched about two-thirds of a mile from bow to stern.

From Washington Times

The mountain range can only arise where the geosyncline is deeply filled by long ages of sedimentation.

From Project Gutenberg

For long ages and through a succession of geological epochs, sedimentation had proceeded so that the accumulations of Palaeozoic and Mesozoic times had collected in the geosyncline formed by their own ever increasing weight.

From Project Gutenberg

When yielding has begun in any geosyncline, and the materials are faulted and overthrust, there results a considerably increased thickness.

From Project Gutenberg

Again, the ancient and modern volcanoes and earthquakes of Europe are associated with the geosyncline of the greater Mediterranean, the Tethys of Mesozoic times.

From Project Gutenberg