orogeny

[ aw-roj-uh-nee, oh-roj- ]

noun

, Geology.

1. the process of mountain making or upheaval.

orogeny

/ ˌɒrəʊˈdʒɛnɪsɪs; ɒˈrɒdʒɪnɪ; ˌɒrəʊdʒɪˈnɛtɪk; ˌɒrəʊˈdʒɛnɪk /

noun

1. the formation of mountain ranges by intense upward displacement of the earth's crust, usually associated with folding, thrust faulting, and other compressional processes

orogeny

/ ô-rŏj′ə-nē /

1. The process of mountain formation, especially by folding and faulting of the Earth's crust and by plastic folding, metamorphism, and the intrusion of magmas in the lower parts of the lithosphere. Unlike epeirogeny , orogeny usually affects smaller regions and is associated with evidence of folding and faulting. The long chains of mountains often seen on the edges of continents form through orogeny.

Derived Forms

• ˌoroˈgenically, adverb
• orogenic, adjective

Other Words From

• or·o·gen·ic [awr-, uh, -, jen, -ik, or-, uh, -], oro·ge·netic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of orogeny¹

First recorded in 1885–90; oro- ¹ + -geny