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Reference.org
Orogenic collapse
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<p>In <a href="/facts/Geology/WGvVRIYF">geology</a>, orogenic collapse is the thinning and lateral spread of thickened <a href="/facts/Crust_(geology)/FYG1kP4F">crust</a>. It is a broad term referring to processes which distribute material from regions of high <a href="/facts/Gravitational_energy/SJpNw6G5">gravitational potential energy</a> to regions of low gravitational potential energy. Orogenic collapse can begin at any point during an <a href="/facts/Orogeny/XrvRMpsw">orogeny</a> due to overthickening of the crust. Post-orogenic collapse and post-orogenic extension refer to processes which take place once <a href="/facts/Tectonics/jPcFacFP">tectonic forces</a> have been released, and represent a key phase of the <a href="/facts/Wilson_Cycle/x4jxecM6">Wilson Cycle</a>, between continental collision and rifting. </p>