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Letter TGeology glossary

Thrust Belt

A thrust belt is a region of the Earth’s crust where compressional tectonic forces have created a series of thrust faults, leading to the stacking of crustal blocks and the formation of mountain ranges. Thrust belts are significant in structural geology for understanding mountain-building processes and the mechanics of crustal deformation. 

Diagram showing thrust faults and décollement layers (thrust belt)
Fig. 1 Diagram showing thrust faults and décollement layers (thrust belt)

Source Suppe, J. (1985). “Principles of Structural Geology.” Prentice Hall.

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