Grands Ensembles Géologiques de France

Major geological units of France, including sedimentary basins, ancient crystalline basements, and recent mountain ranges.

Large, low-lying areas formed by the accumulation of sediment over millions of years, often containing fossil evidence.

Areas of ancient, crystalline rocks, often very hard and enduring, forming the foundation of continental landmasses.

Chains of mountains formed relatively recently in geological history, often characterized by high peaks and dramatic landscapes.

A geological feature that marks a transition zone between two different geological units, often with distinct characteristics.

A large expanse of land, located in the center of France, characterized by its ancient crystalline rocks and volcanic activity.

A large sedimentary basin located in the north of France, covering a large area with sedimentary rocks.

A large sedimentary basin located in southwest France, known for its diverse geological formations.

A sedimentary basin located in southeast France, bordering the Alps and known for its diverse geological formations.

A mountain range located in eastern France, bordering Germany, known for its rolling hills and forests.

A geological depression or valley running along the Rhine River, known for its volcanic activity and unique geology.

A mountain range located in eastern France, bordering Switzerland, known for its limestone cliffs and valleys.

A geological depression or valley located in eastern France, known for its unique geological formations.

A major mountain range in southern Europe, running through France, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, and Germany.

A mountain range located in southwestern France, bordering Spain, known for its high peaks and dramatic landscapes.

A mountain range located in southeastern France, known for its distinctive red sandstone and volcanic activity.

A large island in the Mediterranean sea, located off the coast of France, known for its diverse geological formations.

The Paris Basin is bounded by geological structures called thresholds and faults, marking significant tectonic features.

A geological feature that marks a transition zone between two different geological units, often acting as a barrier to sediment transport.

Breaks in the earth's crust where rocks have moved past each other, often causing earthquakes.

Important tectonic structure located in northern France, marking a significant geological uplift.

A geological fold or uplift located in northern France, a prominent tectonic feature.

A major fault located in northeastern France, marking a significant geological boundary.

A significant fault located in northeastern France, marking a geological boundary.

A significant fault located in eastern France, marking a geological boundary.

A prominent threshold located in eastern France, a significant geological barrier.

A prominent threshold located in western France, a significant geological barrier.

The formation of the Paris Basin is explained by the Wilson Cycle, which encompasses various stages of geological processes.

A cyclic geological process describing the life cycle of an ocean basin, involving rifting, divergence, oceanization, convergence, and collision.

A major geological event that shaped the Earth's continents and oceans, leading to the formation of supercontinents and superoceans.

A process where the Earth's crust adjusts to changes in weight, such as the erosion of mountains.

The process of rocks being exposed at the surface due to erosion or tectonic uplift.

Areas of Earth's crust where the lithosphere is stretched and thinned, often leading to the formation of basins.

Rocks that formed within a mountain range, especially during the final stages of mountain building, and often found in basins.

The boundary zone of a mountain range, where the mountain chain meets the surrounding areas.

Sedimentary basins that form along the edges of mountain ranges, often filled with sediments eroded from the mountains.

Sedimentary basins located within a mountain range, often filled with coarse-grained sediments eroded from the mountains.

A specific type of sediment found in intramontane basins, characterized by coarse-grained material like sand and gravel.

A process that forms coal from the accumulation of plant material in swampy environments.

The process that transforms peat into coal, increasing the carbon content and reducing volatile compounds.

A classification system that describes the quality of coal based on its carbon content and volatile matter.