The Cordilleran orogenic belt between Nevada and Chihuahua

Abstract

Research Article| May 01, 1978 The Cordilleran orogenic belt between Nevada and Chihuahua HARALD DREWES HARALD DREWES 1U.S. Geological Survey, Denver, Colorado 80225 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar GSA Bulletin (1978) 89 (5): 641–657. https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1978)89<641:TCOBBN>2.0.CO;2 Article history first online: 01 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation HARALD DREWES; The Cordilleran orogenic belt between Nevada and Chihuahua. GSA Bulletin 1978;; 89 (5): 641–657. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1978)89<641:TCOBBN>2.0.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGSA Bulletin Search Advanced Search Abstract The Cordilleran orogenic belt of North America was formed during an orogeny which occurred mainly in Cretaceous and Paleocene time. The belt is marked by a zone of strong folding and thrust faulting that extends from Alaska to Guatemala. However, between southern Nevada and northeastern Chihuahua, the belt is so obscured that some geologists doubt its continuity. A recent study of part of the Nevada-Chihuahua interval provides evidence that the belt is continuous, without major interruption; the complications are the result of pre-orogenic and post-orogenic tectonic events. With due regard for these complicating factors, a structure section through southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico closely resembles sections through southwestern Canada, regions near Salt Lake City and Las Vegas in the United States, and northern Mexico. In each region, supracrustal rocks were tectonically transported east-northeastward a distance probably more than 100 km. The style of deformation suggests a near-surface environment, probably mainly controlled by décollement between a prism of miogeosynclinal rocks and crystalline basement rocks. Those features which vary between the regions reflect differences in tectonic position within the belt (for example, closer to foreland or hinterland, or depth of exposure), in anisotropy of preorogenic rocks (variations in older structural features), or in subsequent geologic history. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.