Trough (geology)

In geology, a trough is a linear structural depression that extends laterally over a distance. Although it is less steep than a trench, a trough can be a narrow basin or a geologic rift. These features often form at the rim of tectonic plates.

For troughs created by glaciation, see Glacial trough.

Satellite image of the Cayman Trough

Bathymetric features of the Rockall Trough northwest of Scotland and Ireland

There are various oceanic troughs on the ocean floors.

Examples of oceanic troughs

• Benue Trough
• Cayman Trough^[1]
• Hesperides Trough
• Kings Trough
• Mariana Trough
• Nankai Trough
• Northumberland Trough
• Okinawa Trough in the East China Sea
• Rockall Trough and others along the rift of the mid-oceanic ridge
• Salton Trough
• South Shetland Trough
• Suakin Trough^[2] in the Red Sea
• Timor Trough^[3]

See also

• Walker Lane
• Oceanic basin

References

1. Einsele, Gerhard (2000). Sedimentary Basins: Evolution, Facies, and Sediment Budget (2nd ed.). Springer. p. 630. ISBN 978-3-540-66193-1.
2. Dinwiddie, Robert et al. (2008) Ocean: The World's Last Wilderness Revealed, London, Dorling Kindersley, page 452.
3. "Chapter II (Geology of Timor-Leste)". Atlas of mineral resources of the ESCAP region Volume 17 Geology and Mineral Resources of Timor-Leste (PDF). United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific. 24 December 2003. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 May 2005.