Hardcover plus DVD

The Upper Ordovician (450-460 Ma) Chazy, Black River and Trenton groups of eastern North America record the tectonic activation of a passive carbonate platform. Associated with tectonic collision and development of a peripheral-type foreland basin, the tectonic history is complicated by the occurrence of two basin-forming episodes. Although considered analogous by previous authors, a growing list of observations indicate that the stratigraphic record from both foreland basins and their coeval Great American Carbonate Bank (GACB) contain somewhat different, non-analogous, signatures. A number of key issues arise when comparing both tectonic episodes. These include: 1) non-analogous spatial-temporal scales whereby the northern (Vermontian) tectophase is much larger and of longer duration compared to the southern (Blountian) tectophase; 2) sedimentary provenance analyses show a more mafic contribution in the northern basin fill compared to that of the southern basin; 3) the position of K-bentonite swarms relative to basin filling phases is non-analogous; and 4) the location and timing of Ordovician volcanism/plutonism shows a pronounced change after the first tectophase. Thus, important research questions for this study include: A) How does the architecture of the foreland basin complex and adjacent GACB change spatially and temporally during each distinct tectophase?; B) Can provenance differences between tectophases be explained relative to tectonic events in the orogen?; C) What is the timing and significance of K-bentonite position and timing of plutonism/volcanism relative to foreland basin fill episodes?; 4) What inferences are gained from theoretical modeling of load geometries and foreland basin evolution when considered with empirical data from the Taconic Orogeny; and 5) Is a new model for the Taconic Orogeny needed to explain the growing list of incongruities? In order to investigate these questions, a refined, high-resolution, sequence stratigraphic framework has been constructed and utilized to re-calibrate Upper Ordovician strata during the last stand of the GACB. The refined framework was constructed using the occurrence of sequence boundaries, erosional surfaces, transgressive, highstand, and regressive systems tracts, hardgrounds and flooding surfaces, laterally extensive and unique lithofacies, highly repetitive sub-meter scale cyclic intervals, updated macrofaunal and microfaunal biostratigraphies, as well as known chemostratigraphic and event stratigraphic data (Nd, C, & Sr isotopic excursions, K-bentonite horizons, seismite horizons, etc.). Also defined for the first time are a number of time-restricted facies including widespread siliciclastic events, chert-rich intervals, and pronounced calcification events. As such, an improved temporal and spatial chronology of thirteen time-slices (~ 1 million year duration) has been produced for the Ashbyan, Mohawkian, to earliest Cincinnatian interval. This integrated stratigraphic model is used to link the sedimentary record of the foreland basin complex to climatic changes, sea-level oscillation, and specific tectonic events in the orogen. These data provide an understanding of the evolution of the foreland basin and its sub-components including the backbulge, forebulge, and foredeep basins. Moreover, coupled with newly calibrated strontium isotopic curves, this study has allowed for the development of a new model for the Taconic Orogeny that helps to explain differences in the timing and spatial relationships between the southern and northern tectophases.

The Sedimentary Basins of the United States and Canada, Second Edition, focuses on the large, regional, sedimentary accumulations in Canada and the United States. Each chapter provides a succinct summary of the tectonic setting and structural and paleogeographic evolution of the basin it covers, with details on structure and stratigraphy. The book features four new chapters that cover the sedimentary basins of Alaska and the Canadian Arctic. In addition to sedimentary geologists, this updated reference is relevant for basin analysis, regional geology, stratigraphy, and for those working in the hydrocarbon exploration industry. - Features updates to existing chapters, along with new chapters on sedimentary basins in Alaska and Arctic Canada - Includes nearly 300 detailed, full-color paleogeographic maps - Written for general geological audiences and individuals working in the resources sector, particularly those in the fossil fuel industry

The Ordovician was one of the longest of the geological periods, characterized by major magmatic and tectonic activity, an immense biodiversification, swings in climate and sea levels, and the first Phanerozoic mass extinction. ‘A Global Synthesis of the Ordovician System’ is presented in two volumes in The Geological Society, Special Publications. Whereas the first volume (SP532) concentrates on general aspects and a synthesis of the Ordovician geology of Europe, this volume (SP533) includes reviews of Ordovician successions of most other parts of the world. The classic successions of the Ordovician basins of North America are presented, as well as those of China where several of the Ordovician Global Boundary Stratotype Sections and Points are defined. The volume also includes syntheses of the Ordovician geology of Africa, South America, most regions of Asia from the Near to the Far East along with Central Asia, as well as Australia, New Zealand and Antarctica.

This volume will be of special interest to carbonate sedimentologists, geochemists, petroleum geologists, engineers, and seismologists. It addresses fundamental aspects of prograding carbonate platforms in a Neogene example from Great Bahama Bank. A remarkable seismic profile, which imaged the prograding margin, provided the seismic stratigraphic framework. Two continuouslycored and logged borings on the profile produced the ground truth for testing and characterizing processes: lithologies and ages of sequence boundaries; influence of sea level fluctuations on progradation, controls on impedance contrasts in carbonates; fluid flow through the submerged margin; log responses of different lithologies; and the origin, ages and depositional environments of the platform top and prograding clinothems. The new findings on diagenesis are of special interest, including complete mineral stabilization in seawater, early burial dolomitization related to sequence boundaries and how diagenesis controls sonic velocity and permeability.

"Emanating from the Fall Line city of Baltimore, site of the 2015 GSA Annual Meeting, these trips reflect the diversity of geological features in the mid-Atlantic region including the Piedmont, Appalachian Mountains, and Coastal Plain, and the importance of geology on the development and construction of the Baltimore-Washington, D.C., metropolitan area"--

The geologic story of the Great Lakes region is one of the most remarkable of any place on Earth. Great Lakes Rocks takes readers on this fascinating journey through geologic history, beginning with an investigation of the surface features—the hills and valleys, waterfalls and caves, and the Great Lakes themselves—that we encounter on a daily basis. From there the book digs deeper into the past, and readers learn about the amazing techniques geologists have used to reconstruct the events that shaped this region millions and even billions of years before humans set foot on Earth. Throughout, the book gives special attention to the link between the region’s geology and its modern history, including the impacts of geology on settlement patterns as well as the development of industries and the present-day economy. Other discussed topics include natural hazards that are geologic in nature, including earthquakes, floods, landslides, and coastal erosion, as well as information on rocks, minerals, and ancient life seen in fossils. Written for nonspecialist readers, this book provides a detailed but easy-to-follow introduction to the geology of the Great Lakes region, and it is an ideal fit for introductory geology courses, including those aimed at nonscience majors.