Crossword Genius

Raising of part of the earth's crust alters a pH value (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

upheaval

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'raising of part of the earth's crust' is the definition.
'upheaval' can be an answer for 'raising' (thesaurus). I am unsure of the 'of part of the earth's crust' bit.

'alters a ph value' is the wordplay.
'alters' is an anagram indicator.
'a'+'ph'+'value'='aphvalue'
'aphvalue' anagrammed gives 'UPHEAVAL'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for upheaval that I've seen before include "Disorder, turmoil" , "Major disturbance" , "Great disturbance and disorder" , "Violent change or disturbance" , "Disturbance that brings about great disruption" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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