Basin Building

Synonym: Basining

Basin building is the dynamic process that causes the formation of basins. Basins have various sizes and types. In general, basins refer to large and medium areas of subsidence on the continents, but some scientists use this term for areas of subsidence in the ocean. Different basins have different formation mechanisms. Based on the cause of formation, basins can be divided into structural basins (basins formed by crustal movement) and erosion basins. Structural basins can be subdivided into depression basins and fault basins. According to the kinematics, basins can be classified into compressional basins (such as depressions), extensional basins (such as rift basins and faulted basins) and strike-slip basins (such as pull-apart basins). The geosyncline theory states that basins are stable platform areas. Geomechanics scientists postulate that basins (structural subsidence zones) and orogenic belts (structural uplift zones) are associated with negative tectonics and...