neotectonics

American  

[nee-oh-tek-ton-iks] / ˌni oʊ tɛkˈtɒn ɪks /

noun

(used with a singular verb)

1. the study of geologically recent movements of the earth's crust and measurement of its local effects in order to develop techniques for predicting earthquakes.

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Etymology

Origin of neotectonics

First recorded in 1950–55; neo- + tectonics ( def. ); modeled on Russian neotektonika