Chapter 5 - The Paleozoic Western Craton Margin

Abstract

An extensional continental margin developed on the western margin of Laurentia from Mexico to Yukon during the breakup of Rodinia about 900–800Ma, commencing with a series of Precambrian rift basins, followed by the development of a wedge of Paleozoic continental margin (“miogeoclinal”) sediments up to 6km thick. Shallow-water carbonate and clastic sediments characterize most of the preserved sediment pile. Slope and deep-basin sedimentary rocks are rarely exposed, having been mostly deformed and buried beneath the accreted terranes and fold-thrust belt of the Cordilleran orogen.