Diastrophism
Diastrophism encompasses various geological processes that involve the movement, elevation, or building up of portions of the earth’s crust. These processes include: (i) Orogenic processes, which lead to mountain building through intense folding and affect long, narrow belts of the earth’s crust. (ii) Epeirogenic processes, which involve the uplift or warping of large parts of the earth’s crust. (iii) Earthquakes, which entail localized, relatively minor movements. (iv) Plate tectonics, which involve horizontal movements of crustal plates.
In orogeny, the crust undergoes severe deformation into folds, while epeirogeny may result in simpler deformation. Orogeny primarily leads to mountain building, whereas epeirogeny contributes to continental building processes. Both processes can cause faulting and fracturing of the crust. The pressure, volume, and temperature changes induced by these processes contribute to the metamorphism of rocks.
To distinguish between epeirogeny and orogeny:
Epeirogeny involves the uplift or warping of large parts of the earth’s crust over extensive areas, contributing to the formation of continents and broad regional changes in elevation. It typically results in relatively gentle, broad-scale changes in the earth’s surface.
Orogeny, on the other hand, specifically refers to the processes of mountain building through severe folding and deformation of the crust. It occurs along long, narrow belts of the earth’s crust, leading to the formation of mountain ranges characterized by intense tectonic activity and significant vertical uplift.
Endogenic Processes| Class 11 Geography Notes
Endogenic processes constitute a fundamental aspect of the Earth’s dynamic geological framework, orchestrating the shaping of its crust and mantle from within. These processes, driven by internal forces and movements beneath the Earth’s surface, play a pivotal role in sculpting landscapes, fostering mountain formations, and triggering seismic activities.
From the slow, relentless pressure of tectonic plates to the sudden release of seismic energy, endogenic processes encapsulate a spectrum of geological phenomena that have shaped the Earth over millions of years. In this exploration, we delve into the intricacies of endogenic processes, their classifications, the forces driving them, and their profound significance in shaping our planet’s geological evolution.