This article is about a geological formation. For other uses, see Massif (disambiguation).
Not to be confused with Mountain or Mountain range.
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A massif in Ukraine
A massif (/mæˈsiːf,ˈmæsɪf/) is a principal mountain mass,[1] such as a compact portion of a mountain range, containing one or more summits (e.g. France's Massif Central). In mountaineering literature, a massif is frequently used to denote the main mass of an individual mountain.
As a purely scientific term in geology, however, a "massif" is separately and more specifically defined as a section of a planet's crust that is demarcated by faults or flexures. In the movement of the crust, a massif tends to retain its internal structure while being displaced as a whole. A massif is a smaller structural unit than a tectonic plate and is considered the fourth-largest driving force in geomorphology.[2]
The word "massif" originates from French (in which the word also means "massive"), where it is used to refer to a large mountain mass or compact group of connected mountains forming an independent portion of a range. The Face on Mars is an example of an extraterrestrial massif.[3] Massifs may also form underwater, as with the Atlantis Massif.[4]
^Allen, 2008, Time scales of tectonic landscapes and their sediment routing systems, Geol. Soc. Lon. Sp. Pub., v. 296, p. 7–28.
^Britt, Robert Roy (2006-09-21). "Mars Face Makeover: Controversial Formation Observed from New Angles". Space.com. Retrieved 2009-05-04.
^Blackman, Donna (2002). "Geology of the Atlantis Massif (Mid-Atlantic Ridge, 30°N): Implications for the evolution of an ultramafic oceanic core complex". Marine Geophysical Researches. 23 (5): 443–469. Bibcode:2002MarGR..23..443B. doi:10.1023/b:mari.0000018232.14085.75. S2CID 96459991.
Vinson Massif (/ˈvɪnsən mæˈsiːf/) is a large mountain massif in Antarctica that is 21 km (13 mi) long and 13 km (8 mi) wide and lies within the Sentinel...
The Massif Central (French pronunciation: [masif sɑ̃tʁal]) is a highland region in south-central France, consisting of mountains and plateaus. It covers...
Tamu Massif is a seamount in the northwest Pacific Ocean, sitting atop a triple junction of mid-ocean ridges. Tamu Massif is located in the Shatsky Rise...
The Beaufortain Massif (French: Massif du Beaufortain) is a massif of the French Alps that straddles the southeastern departments of Savoie and Haute-Savoie...
The Ziama Massif is a forested mountain range in Nzérékoré Region of southeastern Guinea. The Ziama Massif extends northeast-southwest, continuing south...
The Armorican Massif (French: Massif armoricain, pronounced [masif aʁmɔʁikɛ̃]) is a geologic massif that covers a large area in the northwest of France...
The Vercors Massif (French pronunciation: [vɛʁkɔʁ]; Occitan: Vercòrs) is a range in France consisting of rugged plateaus and mountains straddling the départements...
The Atlantis Massif is a prominent undersea massif in the North Atlantic Ocean. It is a dome-shaped region approximately 10 miles (16 km) across and rising...
Ambohiby Massif is an alkaline ring complex in Tsiroanomandidy District, Bongolava, Madagascar, which covers approximately 225 km2 (87 sq mi). The settlement...
The Mont Blanc massif (French: Massif du Mont-Blanc; Italian: Massiccio del Monte Bianco) is a mountain range in the Alps, located mostly in France and...
The Vanoise massif is a mountain range of the Graian Alps, located in the Western Alps. After the Mont Blanc Massif and the Écrins Massif it is the third-highest...
The Gallieni Massif (French: Massif Gallieni) is a mountain range in Grande Terre, the main island of Kerguelen in the French Southern Territories zone...
The Bohemian Massif (Czech: Česká vysočina or Český masiv, German: Böhmische Masse or Böhmisches Massiv) is a geomorphological province in Central Europe...
Massif USGS. Alberts 1995, p. 260. Alberts 1995, p. 602. Alberts 1995, p. 637. Mandarich Massif USGS. McCormick 2001. Blake Massif USGS. Lowry Massif...
Arabika Massif (Arabika) is a glacially eroded karst outcropping of the Gagra Range, Abkhazia, Georgia in the West Caucasus, by the city of Gagra. The...
country in the world. The highest point is Maromokotro, in the Tsaratanana Massif region in the north of the island, at 2,876 metres (9,436 ft). The capital...
The Bornes Massif (French: Massif des Bornes) is a mountainous massif in the north French Prealps in the département of Haute-Savoie. It has 20 peaks higher...
Molar Massif (71°38′S 163°45′E / 71.633°S 163.750°E / -71.633; 163.750 (Molar Massif)) is a large mountain massif immediately east of the Lanterman...
The Hesperian Massif (also known as the Iberian, Hesperic, or Hercynian Massif, or Meseta block) is the pre-Mesozoic core of the Iberian Peninsula. Roughly...
Ford Massif (85°5′S 91°0′W / 85.083°S 91.000°W / -85.083; -91.000) is a broad, snow-topped massif 15 nautical miles (28 km; 17 mi) long and 5 nautical...
The Grand Massif is a ski resort located in Haute-Savoie department, France. Source: 1939 - The first ski lift of the area was built in Les Carroz. It...
The Montcalm Massif (French: Massif du Montcalm, Catalan: Massís del Montcalm) is a mountain massif located in the Pyrenees, at the border between France...
The Iveco Massif is a utility 4×4 vehicle mainly aimed at the utility services and military markets and was part of Iveco’s 4×4 and off-road range, which...
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