Geology 12 - Historical Geology
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Cenozoic

Reading: Chapter 15 & 16

We don't need the section on Cenozoic life yet.

Key Concepts and Questions:

1. East and Gulf Coast:

What happened in these regions during Cenozoic time?

 

 

2. Western Cordilera:

Subduction of a diverging boundary had profound effects across the region. How was this event reflected:

 

• in the Basin and Range (Nevada-Utah)?

 

 

• on the Colorado Plateau?

 

 

• in the Columbia Plateau and Snake river area?

 

 

• in the Sierra Nevada?

 

 

 

3. Glaciation

Why are these effects of glaciation important in North America?

• glacial rebound

• sea level changes

• lakes

• wind deposits

Describe 4 hypotheses to explain why glaciation occurs.

 

 

 

4. Eurasia

We won't spend much time on this is class, but read about the Alpine-Himalayan collisions and their effects.