passive margin

American  

noun

plural

passive margins

1. Geology. a geological boundary between oceanic and continental crust that is contained within a single plate and has little tectonic activity.

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passive margin Scientific  

1. See divergent plate boundary

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Example Sentences

When oceanic crust connected by a passive margin to continental crust completely subducts beneath a continent, an ocean basin closes, and continental collision begins.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2017

A tectonic plate may be made of both oceanic and continental lithosphere connected by a passive margin.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2017

Tectonics in western North America during the early part of the Paleozoic was mostly mild, as a long-lived passive margin developed.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2017

Subduction zones are assumed to form where accumulation of sediment at a passive margin leads to separation of oceanic and continental lithosphere.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015

Figure 10.26 Development of a subduction zone at a passive margin.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015