TECTONIC

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does tectonic mean? 

• TECTONIC (adjective)
  The adjective TECTONIC has 2 senses:

1. pertaining to the structure or movement of the earth's crust

2. of or pertaining to construction or architecture

  Familiarity information: TECTONIC used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• TECTONIC (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Pertaining to the structure or movement of the earth's crust

Classified under:

Relational adjectives (pertainyms)

Context example:

tectonic valleys

Domain category:

geology (a science that deals with the history of the earth as recorded in rocks)

Pertainym:

tectonics (the branch of geology studying the folding and faulting of the earth's crust)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Of or pertaining to construction or architecture

Classified under:

Relational adjectives (pertainyms)

Synonyms:

architectonic; tectonic

Pertainym:

tectonics (the science of architecture)

 Context examples 

The Moon's tectonic action is especially visible in Mare Frigoris.

(Study Finds New Wrinkles on Earth's Moon, NASA)

It's where ocean floor is born and where tectonic plates die.

(Earth's mantle looks like a painting, National Science Foundation)

Such zones are found where two of Earth's tectonic plates collide, with the heavier plate sinking beneath the lighter one and moving material into Earth's interior.

(Major deep carbon sink linked to microbes at volcanic island chains, National Science Foundation)

Studies of the sediment cores obtained during the expedition will focus on understanding how Earth's tectonic plates move and how the global climate system works.

(Scientists return from expedition to lost continent of Zealandia, National Science Foundation)

Tectonic movements that relate to the continental land masses.

(Continental processes, NOAA Paleoclimate Glossary)

At that time, the ecosystem was undergoing dramatic climate and tectonic upheavals as Africa collided with Eurasia and the modern East African Rift System formed.

(Fossil discovery in Tanzania reveals ancient bobcat-sized carnivore, National Science Foundation)

Before this study, scientists' leading theories for the growth of the Sierra were tectonic uplift or Earth rebounding from extensive groundwater pumping in the adjoining California Central Valley.

(Sierras Lost Water Weight, Grew Taller During Drought, NASA)

Ocean water atop the tectonic plate runs down into the Earth's crust and upper mantle along fault lines that lace the area where the plates collide and bend.

(Seismic study reveals huge amount of water dragged into Earth’s interior, National Science Foundation)

But the marsupials' dominant status changed, according to the researchers, when tectonic plate movement joined the ancient island with the larger landmass.

(Fossil discovery adds to understanding of how geological changes affected evolution of mammalian life, National Science Foundation)

Researchers have long known that volcanoes form when tectonic plates converge, or as a result of mantle plumes that rise from the core-mantle boundary to make hotspots at Earth's crust.

(Scientists discover a new way volcanoes form, NSF)