- large scale process that deforms the earth's crust; for example, plate tectonics, earth crust deformations caused by the movement of continental masses, a k a plates
pertaining to the structure or movement of the earth's crust; "tectonic plates"; "tectonic valleys"
of or pertaining to construction or architecture pertaining to the structure or movement of the earth's crust; "tectonic plates"; "tectonic valleys