tectonic rift
nounUK /tɛkˈtɒnɪk rɪft/
US /tɛkˈtɑːnɪk rɪft/
A big crack in the Earth's surface where the ground slowly pulls apart.
The East African Rift is a famous tectonic rift where the land is slowly splitting.
OTHER MEANINGS
2. A deep valley formed where the Earth's crust stretches and breaks apart.
The tectonic rift filled with water over millions of years, forming a long lake.
3. A major split or division between groups of people or ideas.
The debate created a tectonic rift within the community.
4. A place where new ocean floor is slowly being created as plates move apart.
Scientists studied the tectonic rift to learn how oceans are born.