graben

American  

[grah-buhn] / ˈgrɑ bən /

noun

1. a portion of the earth's crust, bounded on at least two sides by faults, that has dropped downward in relation to adjacent portions.

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graben British  

/ ˈɡrɑːbən /

noun

1. an elongated trough of land produced by subsidence of the earth's crust between two faults

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graben Scientific  

/ grä′bən /

1. A usually elongated block of rock that is bounded by parallel geologic faults along its two longest sides, and has a lower elevation than the rock at its sides. Grabens form where rock is being pulled apart by tectonic forces. The East African Rift Valley is a graben.

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Etymology

Origin of graben

1895–1900; < German: ditch

Example Sentences

These faults are part of a broader geological structure called the Milos Gulf-Fyriplaka graben, a tectonic depression that has caused sections of the seafloor to sink to depths of up to 230 meters.

From Science Daily • Dec. 30, 2025

Over the same period, the land either side of the subsiding trough - the walls of the graben, if you like - has moved apart more than 8m.

From BBC • Sep. 6, 2019

Half-grabens are a one-sided version of a horst and graben, where blocks are tilted by a normal fault on one side, creating an asymmetrical valley-mountain arrangement.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2017

Part of the Fraser Valley region of B.C., in the area around Sumas Prairie is a graben.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015

Lately up have I them graben, and likewise his tutelar Sphynx have found, and have even to give signs of animation compelled.'

From The Two Sides of the Shield by Yonge, Charlotte Mary