Geosynclines are the largest stratigraphic units, comprising rocks of relatively great thickness and extent laid in sinking areas in the earth’s surface. Classification is based on the rocks, rather than on the form of the original surface of deposition, or on subsequent tectonic or vulcanic history. Some have referred to oceanographic “troughs” and structural synclinoria as geosynclines. Though the etymology of the word, earth down-fold, does not exclude them, the original definition3 gives rocks as representatives, considers geosynclines to be potential sites of orogeny though including unfolded examples, and definitely excludes synclinoria.
North America had a comparatively stable interior...
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