tectonism


tec·ton·ism

T0079700 (tĕk′tə-nĭz′əm)n.1. The structural behavior of an element of the earth's crust.2. Crustal instability.
[tecton(ic) + -ism.]

tectonism

(ˈtɛktənˌɪzəm) n (Geological Science) another name for diastrophism

di•as•tro•phism

(daɪˈæs trəˌfɪz əm)

n. the action of the forces that cause the earth's crust to be deformed, producing continents, mountains, etc. [1880–85; < Greek diastroph(ḗ) a distortion (n. derivative of diastréphein to distort; see dia-, strophe) + -ism] di`a•stroph′ic (-əˈstrɒf ɪk, -ˈstroʊ fɪk) adj. di`a•stroph′i•cal•ly, adv.