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rift zone

American  

noun

Geology.
  1. a system of related, narrow structural depressions between parallel faults.


Etymology

Origin of rift zone

First recorded in 1965–70


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Beyond the rift zone directly beneath the lake, there are two active volcanoes within 15 miles.

From National Geographic ● Jan. 18, 2024

The well, near Geneva, Nebraska, sits close to deep faults that might connect it to the rocks of the failed rift zone.

From Science Magazine ● Feb. 15, 2023

Geological Survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said in a bulletin that the eruption on the mountain’s northeast rift zone was continuing, but lava output and volcanic gas emissions were “greatly reduced.”

From Seattle Times ● Dec. 10, 2022

The lava surged to a rift zone on the northeast side of the volcano.

From New York Times ● Nov. 29, 2022

A rift zone is where the mountain is splitting apart, the rock is cracked and relatively weak and it’s easier for magma to emerge.

From Washington Times ● Nov. 28, 2022

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