Crust buckles up

Question

When two plates carrying continents collide, the continental crust buckles and rocks pile up, creating towering mountain ranges.

What does continental crust buckles up mean?

Answer 1

The continental crust is "La corteza continental" o del continente. Buckle es "desplomarse"

Entonces, "La corteza continental se desploma y se amontonan las rocas.

¿Qué onda, mi amor? - Daniela2041, Sep 28, 2015

Answer 2

"Buckle," in this context, means to collapse or give way to pressure.

Collapsing would be "buckle under." "Buckle up" would be rising up. Just "buckle" could mean up or down, so generally people specify which it is. - Winkfish, Sep 28, 2015

So I think with mountains, "buckle" would mean "buckle up." ;-) - Winkfish, Sep 28, 2015

Maybe, but "buckle up" usually applies to seatbelts or fasteners. I'm not sure I've ever heard or read "buckle up" used to mean "collapse in an upward direction." That sounds quite odd to me. - AnnRon, Sep 28, 2015

Rey just made a little mistake in his English. The original article just said "buckle" which to me is "collapse" see my post. - Daniela2041, Sep 28, 2015

"Buckle up" as in an airplane would be "abrochar el cinturón." - Daniela2041, Sep 28, 2015

Ann and Dani, yes it sounds strange until you've seen it happen. See my post below. - Winkfish, Sep 28, 2015

Yes, Daniela. I think you and I made similar points, but you were able to express it in your flawless Spanish, of which I am a little in awe and a lot jealous. - AnnRon, Sep 28, 2015

Answer 3

Here in New Orleans, in the deep summer, it can be so hot that the streets "buckle up."

You got that right! :) - rac1, Sep 28, 2015

Yep, I've had to replace an oil pan or two over the years because of it!! - Winkfish, Sep 28, 2015