endogenic

Endogenic refers to processes and phenomena that originate within the Earth and are driven by internal energy, as opposed to exogenic processes driven by external energy such as solar radiation and atmospheric weathering. The term comes from the Greek endon meaning within and genes meaning produced.

In geology and geomorphology, endogenic processes include magmatism (including plutonism and volcanism), metamorphism, and tectonic movement that uplift or deform rocks. These processes contribute to the formation of mountains, crustal differentiation, and the creation of igneous and metamorphic rocks. Endogenic processes operate on timescales ranging from rapid volcanic eruptions to gradual crustal deformation over millions of years.

The internal heat of the Earth's mantle, produced by residual heat from planetary formation and radiogenic decay, drives convection and other mechanisms that cause deformation, faulting, folding, uplift, and subsidence. Endogenic activity can interact with exogenic forces: tectonic uplift exposes rocks to weathering, while erosion can influence stress fields and sediment transport.

In geology, distinguishing endogenic from exogenic processes helps describe the origin of landforms and rocks. While the term is still used, some modern geoscience literature emphasizes the broader concepts of internal versus external forcing and often employs terms such as tectonic or magmatic activity for specificity.