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

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

From Project Gutenberg