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{{Short description|Geologic uplift of Earth's surface that is attributed to plate tectonics}}
[[File:Raised beach western Crete.jpg|thumb|[[Raised beach]] indicating 9 m of uplift during the [[365 Crete earthquake]], other shorelines identified at this site are at 14 m, 17m, 34m, 55m & 75m elevation, consistent with a long-term uplift rate of 2.5–2.7 mm per year over the last 45,000 years]]
'''Tectonic uplift''' is the [[orogeny|geologic uplift]] of [[Earth#Surface|Earth's surface]] that is attributed to [[plate tectonics]]. While [[Isostasy|isostatic]] response is important, an increase in the mean elevation of a region can only occur in response to tectonic processes of [[Thrust tectonics|crustal thickening]] (such as [[Mountain formation|mountain building]] events), changes in the density distribution of the crust and underlying [[Mantle (geology)|mantle]], and flexural support due to the bending of rigid [[lithosphere]].
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Measuring uplift and exhumation can be tricky. Measuring the uplift of a point requires measuring its elevation change – usually geoscientists are not trying to determine the uplift of a singular point but rather the uplift over a specified area. Accordingly, the change in elevation of all points on the surface of that area must be measured, and the rate of erosion must be zero or minimal. Also, sequences of rocks deposited during that uplift must be preserved. Needless to say, in mountain ranges where elevations are far above sea level these criteria are not easily met. [[Paleoclimatology|Paleoclimatic restorations]] though can be valuable; these studies involve inferring changes in climate in an area of interest from changes with time of flora/fauna that is known to be sensitive to temperature and rainfall.<ref>Burbank, Douglas West., and Robert S. Anderson. Tectonic Geomorphology. Malden, MA: Blackwell Science, 2000. {{ISBN|978-0632043866}}</ref> The magnitude of the exhumation a rock has been subjected to may be inferred from [[geothermobarometry]] (measuring previous pressure and temperature history of a rock or assemblage). Knowing the pressure and temperature history of a region can yield an estimate of the ambient [[geothermal gradient]] and bounds on the exhumation process; however, geobarometric/geothermometric studies do not produce a rate of exhumation (or any other information on time). Exhumation rates can be inferred from [[Fission track dating|fission tracks]] and from [[Radiometric dating|radiometric ages]] as long as a thermal profile can be estimated.
==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Cliffs of Moher (1542448559).jpg|[[Cliffs of Moher]]
File:Blue Mountains National Park Uplift.jpg|Tectonic uplifting in the [[Blue Mountains National Park]]
File:Tasmania Tasman National Park 5.jpg|Cliffs of the [[Tasman National Park]]
File:Horseshoe Bend 13 February 2023.jpg|[[Incised meander]] caused by downcutting of [[Colorado River]] during uplift of [[Colorado Plateau]]
File:2018 07 12 Schottland (171) Duncansby Stacks.jpg|[[Duncansby Stacks]]
File:Aerial view of 12 Apostles, Victoria, Australia (Ank Kumar) 03.jpg|[[The Twelve Apostles]]
File:Paracas National Reserve. Ica, Peru.jpg|Coast and cliffs of [[Paracas National Reserve]]
</gallery>
==References==
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