ARMORICAN OROGENY Meaning and
Definition
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The Armorican orogeny refers to a major geological event that occurred during the Paleozoic era, specifically in the Devonian and Carboniferous periods, approximately 480 to 290 million years ago. This orogeny is named after the Armorican Massif, which encompasses a large region in northwestern France, including Brittany and parts of Normandy.
During the Armorican orogeny, intense tectonic forces gave rise to the formation of mountains and extensive volcanic activity in the region. This orogeny involved the collision of different tectonic plates, particularly the Avalonia and Laurussia plates, resulting in their convergence and subsequent uplift. The process involved large-scale folding, faulting, and thrusting of the earth's crust, leading to the creation of mountain ranges and the formation of a complex geological structure.
The effects of the Armorican orogeny can be seen in the geology and topography of the Armorican Massif. The collision of the tectonic plates caused the uplift and folding of sedimentary rocks, resulting in the formation of the Armorican mountains. Additionally, volcanic activity associated with this orogeny led to the deposition of volcanic rocks, which are abundant in the region.
The Armorican orogeny played a significant role in shaping the present-day landscape of northwestern France and has contributed to the rich mineral resources found in the area. Studying this geological event helps geologists understand the dynamics of plate tectonics, mountain-building processes, and the evolution of Earth's crust during the Paleozoic era.
Etymology of ARMORICAN OROGENY
The word "Armorican orogeny" has its roots in the Old Breton language and the geological term "orogeny".
The term "Armorican" comes from the Old Breton word "ar", meaning "by" or "on", and "Mor", which translates to "sea". In ancient times, the Armorican Peninsula (modern-day Brittany in France) was recognized as a land by the sea. The Armorican region holds great geological significance as it resisted being merged with the rest of the European continent during the formation of the supercontinent Pangaea. This resistance to merging created the Armorican Massif, a mountainous region characterized by its ancient rocks and geological history.
The word "orogeny" comes from the Greek words "oros", meaning "mountain", and "genesis", meaning "birth" or "origin".
