Definition
orogens
noun
- Plural of orogen; regions of the Earth's crust where mountain-building processes occur, typically involving tectonic plate collision and deformation.
Usage: geology; technical
Examples
- The Himalayas and the Alps are examples of active orogens formed by continental plate collisions.
- Geologists study ancient orogens to understand the tectonic history of continents.
- The Appalachian Mountains represent a fossil orogen from a past mountain-building event.
- Orogens are characterized by intense folding, faulting, and metamorphism of rock layers.
- Modern orogens continue to rise as tectonic forces push continental plates together.