The natural processes of weathering and erosion also contribute to forming structural basins. Structural basins form as tectonic plates shift. Rocks and other material on the floor of the basin are forced downward, while material on the sides of the basin are pushed up. This process happens over thousands of years.

How was a basin created?

Basins are formed in a few ways just like many of the other landforms of the world. One of the most common ways is the basins are formed through movement of the Earth's crust better know as plate tectonics. Plate tectonics can cause many things such as volcanoes erupting and the formation of mountains.

What causes a sedimentary basin?

Basin Formation

Sedimentary basins are formed over hundreds of millions of years by the combined action of deposition of eroded material and precipitation of chemicals and organic debris within water environment (Figure 1.2).