3 Geology of Cordillera Flashcards
Who is William Logan? And what mountain is named after him?
The founder and first director of the Geological Survey of Canada (GSC) and Mount Logan
Who is Alfred Selwyn?
The successor to William Logan and explored interior BC for the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway
Who is A.O Wheeler?
One of the first geolgist in Canada
What is the definition of orogeny?
The process of formation of mountains by which
structures within fold-belt mountainous areas were
formed, resulting from thrust faulting, folding,
metamorphism, plutonism, terrane accretion and
associated uplift and erosion.
What is the result of orogeny?
Deformation (folding and faulting), and Metamorphism
What are the five morphological belts in the western Cordillera? (from east to west)
Foreland Belt, Omineca belt, intermontane belt, coast belt, and insular belt
Define morphogeological belt
A continental or oceanic area characterized by a
distinctive combination of landforms, rock types,
metamorphic grade and structural style.
Which of the five belts are native to North America and which are exotic?
Native: Foreland and Omineca
Exotic: Intermontane and Insular
Which belt sits on two other belts and what kind of rocks does it have?
The coast belts sit on top of the insular and intermontane belts. And it has subduction-related igneous rocks
What physiographic regions are in the foreland belt? (5) (North to South)
Artic Mountains, Ogilive Mountains, Franklin Mountains, Mackenzie Mountains, and the Rocky Mountains
What is the make-up of the rocks in the foothills and the front ranges?
Clastic rocks (shale and sandstone) in the foothills and Carbonate rock (limestone and dolostone) in the front ranges
What kind of metamorphism is in the front ranges?
Very low grade metamorphism
What is the structural style in the foreland?
Fold and thrust belt
What mountain shows the McConnell Thrust and what rocks are contained within that mountain?
Mount Yamnuska, Cambrian limestone on top of cretaceous sandstone
Review slide 75-86
What physiographic regions are within the Omeinica Belt (North to South)?
Yukon Plateaus, Selwyn Mountains, Kaska (Omenica) Mountains, Columbia Mountains
What type of rock are in the Omenica belt?
High-grade metamorphosed rocks that is complexly deformed
See slide 93-94
What kind of metamorphism is in the Omenica belt?
There is many all levels of metamorphism in this belt (slide 104)
What kind of rock is in the Shuswap Metamorphic complex
Gneiss
How the Shuswap Metamorphic complex formed see slide 108
What is the structural style of the Omenica belt?
Polyphase, ductile deformation, and metamorphism
What is the interpreted origin of the Omenica belt?
Is believed to be attached to the foreland belt as long as it has existed
