USGS · 70188888
Tectonic evolution
Abstract
The middle Paleozoic through Present tectonic evolution of the Northern Cordillera is portrayed in a series of 15 Tectonic Model figures. These figures depict the successive stages of formation and accretion of orogenic collages along the western margin of the North American Plate (craton and craton margin) and adjacent marine areas. The orogenic collages are composed of terranes and overlap assemblages. The terranes are tectonic (fault-bounded) fragments of island arcs and continental-margin arcs, subduction-zones, oceanic lithosphere, craton margins, and cratons. The overlap assemblages are sequences of mainly late Mesozoic and Cenozoic continental-margin-arc and sedimentary-basin assemblages that were deposited on subjacent terranes and on subjacent craton margin assemblages, following their tectonic assembly.
Explore related subjects
Keep this discovery
Explore connections, maps & timelines
Warren J. Nokleberg, James W.H. Monger, David B. Stone, Thomas K. Bundtzen, David W. Scholl. 2017. Tectonic evolution. https://pubs.usgs.gov/publication/70188888
Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.