Early Paleozoic Earth History 1 Flashcards
1
Q
When did the supercontinent began to break up
A
550 million years ago
2
Q
what is a Epeiric sea
A
A broad shallow sea that covers part of a continent
3
Q
What were the 4 major mobile belts in North America
A
- The Franklin
- Cordilleran
- Ouachita
- Appalachian
4
Q
Define Mobile belts
A
Elongate areas of mountain-building activity
5
Q
How do Geologists reconstruct Paleogeography by analyzing data
A
- Paleoclimates
- paleomagnetic’s
- Fossils
- Stratigraphy
- Sedimentology
- Tectonics
6
Q
What are the different Cratonic Sequences
A
- Transgression
- Regression
6
Q
Define Cratonic Sequences
A
Large scale lithostratigraphic unit representing sea level changes
7
Q
Define Transgression
A
Sea level rise
8
Q
Define Regression
A
Sea level fall
9
Q
What is the Sauk Sequence
A
First major transgression onto the north American continent
10
Q
Define the Tippecanoe Sequence
A
- the equator shifted
- Sauk Sea regressed during the Early Ordovician
11
Q
What happened when the Sauk Sea Regressed
A
- high erosion of exposed carbonates
- unconformities between the Sauk and Tippecanoe sequences
- Great fossils
-Deposition of sandstone and widespread carbonates
12
Q
Define Reefs
A
- Limestone structures made by living organisms
- Today’s major reef-builders are corals
- First skeletal builders of reef-like structures were Archaeocyathids
13
Q
Define Barrier Reefs
A
- Long narrow structures that form nearly parallel to the shoreline
