Large-Scale Continental Deformation

North America has a rich plate tectonic and geodynamic history spanning more than three billion years. The central stable craton of North America records the existence of Precambrian orogenic belts, worn down to their roots by erosion over the millennia, which can be interpreted in terms of plate rifting and convergence.

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In contrast, along North America's western margin, continental evolution driven by plate interactions is occurring through similar, but currently active tectonic processes. These geologic environments, and those representing the time in between, provide the targets for EarthScope's focus on deformation of the North American continent.