Geology 12 - Historical Geology
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Western Cordillera

Reading:

• Ch. 14, p.351-352
• Ch. 15, p. 384
• Ch. 16, p. 410-414
• Ch. 17, p.437-438
• Ch. 19, p. 488-494

Background

Terms you should know:

Key Concepts and Questions:

1. Western Cordillera

What is an "exotic terrane"? How do we recognize them, and what evidence tells us where they may have started out?

 

 

What evidence tells us that a well-developed subduction complex was operating by the Jurassic?

 

 

How did subduction change in the latest Cretaceous through Eocene? What is the evidence for this unusual plate boundary?

 

 

What are the plate tectonic events or settings that go with each of these traditionally named mountain-building events?

Sonoma Orogeny:

Nevadan Orogeny:

Sevier Orogeny:

Laramide Orogeny:

 

 

Assessment

1. Western Cordillera

You should be able to:

• describe the evidence for the assembly of the Cordillera by collisions
• describe the evidence for the Jurassic-Eocene subduction complex and its changes over time