1. n. [Geology]

A depression in the crust of the Earth formed by plate tectonic activity in which sediments accumulate. Continued deposition can cause further depression or subsidence. Sedimentary basins, or simply basins, vary from bowl-shaped to elongated troughs. If rich hydrocarbon source rocks occur in combination with appropriate depth and duration of burial, hydrocarbon generation can occur within the basin.

Synonyms: basin

See related terms: crust,  generation,  hydrocarbon,  migration,  petroleum system,  plate tectonics,  source rock,  subsidence