Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
rift-valley
Noun
/rɪft ˈvæli/
Definition
A rift valley is a special type of valley that forms through tectonic activity when the earth’s crust splits and sinks due to geological forces.
Examples
- The East African Rift Valley is one of the most well-known rift valleys in the world.
- Geologists study the formations in rift valleys to understand tectonic movements.
- Animals like the African elephant thrive in the ecosystems surrounding rift valleys.
Meaning
Rift valleys are lowlands formed by the process of continental rifting, which can occur on land or beneath the ocean.
Synonyms
- Tectonic valley
- Graben
- Geological depression
