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geosyncline

The definition of a geosyncline is a long trough in the surface of the earth where sediments and deposits collect, thought of in the late 19th century and early 20th century as the origin of most mountains.

(noun)

An example of a geosyncline is the Adelaide Rift Complex in South Australia.

See geosyncline in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

a very large, troughlike depression in the earth's surface containing masses of sedimentary and volcanic rocks

Origin: geo- + syncline

See geosyncline in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

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

Related Forms:

geˌo·syn·cliˈnal (-sĭn-klĭˈnəl) adjective

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