Graben, a German word meaning "ditch" or "trench", is often used in geology to refer to a type of fault where two blocks of the Earth's crust have moved vertically, creating a depressed area in between. Synonyms for this geological feature include rift, trough, and depression. A rift is a fissure or a break in the Earth's crust caused by tectonic forces, while a trough is a low point or a channel between higher areas. The term depression is also used to describe a sunken or lowered area of land. These synonyms help scientists and geologists communicate effectively when discussing or studying such geological formations.