Orogeny

Synonym: Orogenic movement ; Mountain building

There are two different interpretations and two definitions for orogeny: (1) Mountain ranges are formed by crustal movements (Gilbert 1890). This definition focuses on the formation of mountains from the landform perspective. This concept is now rarely adopted, particularly by scientists that study terrain formation. (2) The orogenic belts are caused by strong deformation of the crust induced by crustal movement. This concept is currently more popular and widely accepted. This concept postulates that mountain building is an episodic process (Stille 1919) that alters the structure of rocks. This includes geologic processes such as folding, thrust deformation, magmatic activity and regional metamorphism but does not include the formation of landforms and mountains. The traditional geosyncline theory indicates that through folding and inversion uplift, an orogenic belt forms with the development of dense linear folds and reverse faults. Plate...