DOUG'S WORD OF THE WEEK

diastrophism / dy-AS-truh-fiz-uhm / noun: 1. The process of deformation of the earth's crust that produces continents, mountains, ocean basins, etc.

Notes & Etymology: From the Greek dia- (across) + strophe (turning). Ultimately from the Indo-European root streb(h)- (to wind or turn) that also gave us catastrophe (literally, an overturning) and apostrophe (literally, turning away, referring to the omission of a letter), and boustrophedon.

Usage: “But facing impending disaster is the cost of living in a place blessed by geography and climate, but cursed by the immutable process called diastrophism that lifts mountains, carves coastlines, and moves continents."
Still on Shaky Ground -- 10 Years After Loma Prieta; The San Francisco Chronicle;
Oct 17, 1999.