Tectonic uplift

<p>Tectonic uplift is the <a href="/facts/Orogeny/XrvRMpsw">geologic uplift</a> of <a href="/facts/Earth/HLLmDfj0">Earth's surface</a> that is attributed to <a href="/facts/Plate_tectonics/RtRG5lY4">plate tectonics</a>. While <a href="/facts/Isostasy/GaRMFQNP">isostatic</a> response is important, an increase in the mean elevation of a region can only occur in response to tectonic processes of <a href="/facts/Thrust_tectonics/GsNQQC5g">crustal thickening</a> (such as <a href="/facts/Mountain_formation/zVjPULmN">mountain building</a> events), changes in the density distribution of the crust and underlying <a href="/facts/Mantle_(geology)/RpDdtjCr">mantle</a>, and flexural support due to the bending of rigid <a href="/facts/Lithosphere/1mqaxASd">lithosphere</a>.
</p><p>Tectonic uplift results in <a href="/facts/Denudation/VpfyfhxE">denudation</a> (processes that wear away the earth's surface) by raising buried rocks closer to the surface. This process can redistribute large loads from an elevated region to a topographically lower area as well – thus promoting an isostatic response in the region of denudation (which can cause local bedrock uplift). The timing, magnitude, and rate of denudation can be estimated by <a href="/facts/Geologist/vGc0tBHB">geologists</a> using pressure-temperature studies.
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Tectonic uplift open-in-new

Tectonic uplift