Chapter9ofEarth.ppt

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Appalachian Mountain System Model for the Evolution of the Southern Appalachians Supercontinent breaks up, rifts apart. Another rift starts moving Africa west. The ocean floor breaks and one side subducts, starting a new island arc. Another Rift Over here somewhere rift Model for the Evolution of the Southern Appalachians (cont’d) The ocean floor breaks again, new subduction adds volcanics to an existing microcontinent Net westward movement pushes the ridge, subduction zone and fragment into N.America Rifting restarts to the East Weak rifts Model for the Evolution of the Southern Appalachians (cont’d) Arc and subduction zone collide w/ N.Am., westward subduction starts The continents collide Model for the Evolution of the Southern Appalachians (cont’d) Rifting Restarts Collisional Mountains ??? (The Grand Tetons in Wyoming) Source: Peter French/DRK Photo Paradigm shifts: What is wrong with our model? More on this later Fault-block mountains Rift Valleys, Mid Ocean Ridges Basin and Range province ??? Normal Fault Blocks as in East Africa Divergent Margins? Paradigm Shifts Origin of the Basin and Range Southwestern North AmericaLooks different Paradigm Shifts Upwarped mountains a) Gently bent without much deformation b) Ascent of buoyant mantle material c) Far from plate boundaries d) Adirondack Mountains: Uplift of deep PreCambrian Igneous and Metamorphic rocks The Adirondack Mountains of Northern New York Source: Clyde H. Smith/Allstock/Tony Stone Images Anticlines and Oil Early USA petroleum exploration, e.g. Pennsylvania anticlines Faults and Oil * End of Chapter 9 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Interpreting Folds Determine if center rocks are older or younger than flanks: fossils, right side up clues (graded bedding and mudcracks) Are limbs parallel or “Nosed”? Determine limb dips from measurements, stream V’s. Strike and Dip Use