Historical Geology

Lecture 19

Geologic Events of the Cenozoic Era

Historical GeologyOutline

I Cenozoic TimelineII Cenozoic PaleogeographyIII Geologic Framework

A) Incised MeandersB) Superposed Streams

IV Cenozoic North AmericaA) Cenozoic Cordilleran Events

1) Phase 1 (70 mya - 40 mya): Laramide Orogeny2) Phase 2 (40 mya - 20 mya): Resumption of Arc Volcanism3) Phase 3 (20 mya - present): Complex Tectonism

B) Cenozoic Appalachian EventsC) Cenozoic Gulf Margin Events

V Cenozoic Events of EurasiaA) Alpine-Himalaya BeltB) Disappearance of Tethys

VI Cenozoic Climate

Historical GeologyThe Cenozoic Era

Historical GeologyCenozoic Paleogeography

Historical GeologyGeologic Framework

Incised Meanders

Historical GeologyGeologic Framework

Superposed Streams

Historical GeologyThe Tertiary Period

Historical GeologyThe Tertiary PeriodNorth America

Appalachian Margin

Rejuvenation

Chesapeake Bay Bolide

Gulf Coast Margin

Subsidence

Evaporite Intrusions

Cordilleran Margin

Phase I: Laramide Orogeny

Phase II: Return to Arc Volcanism

Phase III: Complex Tectonics

Historical GeologyThe Tertiary Period

North American Paleogeography

Historical GeologyCenozoic Cordilleran Margin

Physiographic Regions

Historical GeologyCenozoic Cordilleran MarginPhase I : Latest Cretaceous - Middle Eocene

Laramide Orogeny

Intermontane Basin Formation

Historical GeologyCenozoic Cordilleran MarginPhase I : Latest Cretaceous - Middle Eocene

Intermontane Basins

Egan and Urquhart, 1993

Bird, 1988

Jones, et al., 1996

Historical GeologyCenozoic Cordilleran MarginPhase II : Late Eocene - Middle Miocene

Intermontane Basin Deposition

Resumption of Arc Volcanism

Historical GeologyCenozoic Cordilleran MarginPhase II : Late Eocene - Middle Miocene

Intermontane Basin Deposition - Oil Shales and Other Lake DepositsGreen River Formation

Hell's Hole Canyon, Utah

Lake MarlsBryce Canyon Natl Park, Utah

Historical GeologyCenozoic Cordilleran MarginPhase II : Late Eocene - Middle Miocene

Intermontane Basin Deposition

Beartooth PlateauYellowstone National Park

Historical GeologyCenozoic Cordilleran MarginPhase II : Late Eocene - Middle Miocene

Resumption of Arc Volcanism Clarno Formation

Central Oregon

John Day FormationCentral Oregon

Historical GeologyCenozoic Cordilleran MarginPhase III : Early Miocene - Present

Columbia River Plateau Volcanism

Basin and Range Extension

Rotation of Sierra Nevada Mountains

Colorado Plateau

Tectonic Shearing

Historical GeologyCenozoic Cordilleran MarginPhase III : Early Miocene - Present

Tectonic Shearing

Historical GeologyCenozoic Cordilleran MarginPhase III : Early Miocene - Present

Columbia River Plateau Volcanism

Picture GorgeMitchell, Oregon

Historical GeologyCenozoic Cordilleran MarginPhase III : Early Miocene - Present

Basin and Range Extension

Historical GeologyCenozoic Cordilleran MarginPhase III : Early Miocene - Present

Rotation of Sierra Nevadas and Cascades

Historical GeologyCenozoic Cordilleran MarginPhase III : Early Miocene - Present

Colorado Plateau UpliftSan Juan River

SE Utah

Flaming GorgeNE Utah

Historical GeologyCenozoic Cordilleran MarginPhase III : Early Miocene - Present

Tectonic Shearing

Historical GeologyCenozoic Appalachian MarginRejuvenation

Historical GeologyCenozoic Appalachian MarginChesapeake Bay Bolide

Graphics: Michael Hall, Virginian-Pilot

Historical GeologyCenozoic Gulf Coast Margin

Best record of Cenozoic Strata

Passive Margin Subsidence

Salt Domes

Historical GeologyCenozoic Gulf Coast Margin

Passive Margin Subsidence

Passive Margin Subsidence

Salt Domes

Historical GeologyCenozoic Events of Eurasia

Alpine-Himalaya Orogenic Belt

Disappearance of the Tethys Sea

Historical GeologyCenozoic Events of Eurasia

The Himalayan Orogeny

Historical GeologyCenozoic Events of Eurasia

The Alpine Orogeny

Latest Cretaceous

Eocene

Late Miocene

Historical GeologyCenozoicClimate