Tectonic means relating to the structure of the Earth's surface or crust.
[technical]
...the tectonic plates of the Pacific region.
tectonic in British English
(tɛkˈtɒnɪk)
adjective
1.
denoting or relating to construction or building
2. geology
a.
(of landforms, rock masses, etc) resulting from distortion of the earth's crust due to forces within it
b.
(of processes, movements, etc) occurring within the earth's crust and causing structural deformation
Derived forms
tectonically (tecˈtonically)
adverb
Word origin
C17: from Late Latin tectonicus, from Greek tektonikos belonging to carpentry, from tektōn a builder
tectonic in American English
(tɛkˈtɑnɪk)
adjective
1.
of or having to do with building; constructional
2.
architectural
3.
designating, of, or pertaining to changes in the structure of the earth's crust, the forces responsible for such deformation, or the external forms produced
Word origin
LL tectonicus < Gr tektonikos < tektōn, carpenter, builder: see technic
Examples of 'tectonic' in a sentence
tectonic
Could you still invoke the same tectonic processes for deep time that were applicable to the last few hundred million years?
Richard Fortey THE EARTH: An Intimate History (2004)
Such are the tectonic forces trying to rip this place asunder, it seems almost a case of have a look while it's still here.