macizo

Macizo is a term used in geology and geography, often applied in Spanish to describe a large, coherent block of the Earth's crust that forms a mountainous region or the core of a mountain system. The word is borrowed from French massif, which in turn comes from Latin massivus, meaning solid or massive.

A macizo is typically a structurally stable and extensive block bounded by faults. It is usually composed of ancient, resistant rocks such as metamorphic and granitoid units, which helps it endure erosion and stand out as a prominent topographic feature. The formation of a macizo involves long tectonic processes, including uplift and thrusting, often within a larger orogenic belt. Over time, differential erosion shapes its surface, while the surrounding areas wear away more quickly.

In practice, the term is used to designate substantial mountain blocks or cores within larger ranges. Examples include the Massif Central in France, the Macizo Ibérico (Iberian Massif) that underlies parts of the Iberian Peninsula, and the Macizo Colombiano in the central Andes of Colombia. These regions are characterized by relatively old rocks and a distinct, often rugged relief that remains recognizable despite ongoing geological change.

In English-language geology, the equivalent term is massif. The usage of macizo in Spanish-speaking contexts helps specify a large, solid block of crust that forms a principal mountain mass rather than a linear or volcanic belt.