Orogenesis has two implications: (1) The formation mechanism of ‘orogenic belts’ (‘fold belts’). There are several theories about the formation mechanism of orogenic belts. The customary geosyncline theory postulates that orogenic belts form due to folding and inversion of geosynclines, accompanied by strong structural deformation, magmatic activity and dynamometamorphism. Plate tectonics holds that an orogenic belt is the result of convergence, subduction or collision of two adjacent plates, and the direction of compression (principal compressive stress direction) is perpendicular to the trend of the orogenic belt. Based on detailed studies, scientists have discovered that shear and even tensile stresses can also form orogenic belts. (2) The formation mechanism of ‘mountain range’. The geosyncline theory states that mountain ranges form due to uplift caused by continuous compression of the orogenic belt subject to folding inversion. Plate tectonics focuses on several aspects, such as...
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(2020). Orogenesis. In: Chen, A., Ng, Y., Zhang, E., Tian, M. (eds) Dictionary of Geotourism. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-2538-0_1793
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