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ASSIGNED DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Test 3: Outline for the Discussion Questions

Discussion Question 1: Discuss in detail the Mesozoic tectonic evolution of eastern North America

1. Begin with short overview description of Pangaea

2. Formation of the rift basins (When? Where? Orientation?)

3. Formation of the diabase dikes (When? Where? Orientation?)

4. Onset of rifting between Laurentia and Gondwana (When? Where? Began opening what part of the Atlantic Ocean basin?)

5. Onset of formation of a passive continental margin (When? Where? What is a passive continental margin?)

6. Onset of rifting followed by ceasing of rifting of Greenland from North America (When?)

7. Onset of rifting between North America and Europe (When? Began opening what part of the Atlantic Ocean basin?)

8. End with the Zuni transgression (When? Advanced how far inland? Began deposition/formation of what?)

Discussion Question 2: Discuss in detail the Mesozoic tectonic evolution of western North America

1. Begin with short overview of the type of plate boundary that existed along the western margin of North America

2. Formation of the Klamath arc (also called Sonomia) (When? What is the name of the plate that was being subducted?)

3. Accretion of the Klamath arc (When? During what orogeny?)

4. Change from a Japan-type to an Andean-type plate boundary following accretion of the Klamath arc

5. Nevadan orogeny (When? Caused formation of what? In what region of the Cordillera?)

6. Sevier orogeny (When? Caused what? In what region of the Cordillera?)

7. Laramide orogeny (When? Caused what? In what region of the Cordillera? Formed what Cordilleran mountain range?)

Test 2: Outline for the Discussion Questions

Discussion Question 1: Discuss in detail the Proterozoic tectonic evolution of ancient North America

1. Begin with description of ancient North America at the end of the Kenoran orogeny

2. Hudsonian orogeny (When? Affected which cratons? Outcome?)

3. Grenville orogeny/formation of Rodinia (When? Which cratons collided with which margin of ancient North America?)

4. Rifting of Rodinia (When? Yielded what ocean basin, what continents?

5. Formation of a passive continental margin along eastern ancient North America

6. Formation of Carolinia, the Carolina terrane (Where? When? Significance?)

Discussion Question 2: Discuss in detail the Paleozoic tectonic evolution of ancient North America

1. Begin with description the location of ancient North America, its orientation, and type(s) of continental margins

2. Taconic orogeny (When? Involved collision of what with which margin? Outcome?)

3. Acadian orogeny (When? Involved collisions of what two things with which margin? Outcome--formation of what supercontinent/accretion of what arc?)

4. Formation of the Antler Arc (When? Where?)

5. Accretion of the Antler Arc (When? Where?)

6. Ellsmere orogeny (When? Where? Likely caused with collision of which craton?)

7. Formation of the Klamath Arc (When? Where?)

8. Alleghanian/Ouachita orogeny (When? Involved collisions of what parts of which supercontinents with which margins? Outcome?)

EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITY

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USEFUL LINKS

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United States Geological Survey

South Carolina Geological Survey

South Carolina Seismic Network

NEIC Current World Seismicity

Earth's Geologic History

Regional Weather Radar

Paleozoic Blank