Autochthon (geology)

An autochthon in structural geology is a large block or mass of rock which is in the place of its original formation relative to its basement or foundation rock. It can be described as rooted to its basement rock as opposed to an allochthonous block or nappe which has been relocated from its site of formation.[1]

Schematic overview of a thrust system. The hanging wall block is (when it has reasonable proportions) called a nappe which overlays the autochthonous (unrelocated) material. A hole in the nappe which exposes the underlying autochthonous material is called a window. A klippe is a solitary outcrop of the nappe in the middle of autochthonous material.

While an autochthon may have experienced some minor shifting, an allochthonous block will have moved at least a few kilometres.[2][3] If an overlying allochthon has an opening or hole which exposes the underlying autochthonous material, the hole is called a window (or Fenster).

The etymology of the term is from Greek: 'autos' means self, and 'chthon' means earth.

See also

Look up autochthon or autochthonous in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

References

  1. ↑ Dictionary of Geological Terms: Third Edition, p. 35, at Google Books ISBN 9780385181013
  2. ↑ Howell, J.V. (Editor) 1960: Glossary of geology and related sciences. American Geological Institute, Washington D.C., 325 p.
  3. ↑ Marko, F., Jacko, S., 1999: Structural geology (General and systematic). ISBN 80-88896-36-3 Vydavateľstvo Harlequin, Košice, p. 81 - 93 (Slovak)


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