Earth System History 4e & Launchpad Solo For Earth System History (six Months Access)
Earth System History 4e & Launchpad Solo For Earth System History (six Months Access)
4th Edition
ISBN: 9781319126087
Author: Steven M. Stanley, John A. Luczaj
Publisher: W. H. Freeman
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Chapter 15, Problem 1RQ
To determine

The reason behind the repeated expansion and contraction of shallow seas over the midcontinent United States during Late Carboniferous time.

Expert Solution & Answer
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Answer to Problem 1RQ

The continual expansion and contraction of glaciers in Gondwanaland caused the expansion and contraction of shallow seas over the midcontinent United States.

Explanation of Solution

The alternative transgression and regression of shallow seas are described as cyclothems. Most cyclothems are of late Carboniferous (Pennsylvanian) age. The cyclothems are the result of repeated expansion and contraction of glaciers in Gondwanaland.

Coal deposits formed within the cyclothems. A transgression produces the lower part of a cyclothem, where marine sediments are superimposed on nonmarine sediments. Nonmarine material is underclay on which coal-swap plants grew and then died to produce the peat that ultimately would become coal.

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Examine the strike and dip of the rock units on the Devil's Fence geologic map in Figure 6.21. Draw multiple large arrows on the map, pointing in the direction of dip on several rock units. Do the rock layers located near the center of the map in Section 14 dip toward the northwest or southeast? The same rocks in Section 14 are also found in Section 18. Do the rocks in Section 18 dip toward the east or west? What is the approximate angle of dip of the units in Section 18?
1. Draw a dashed line representing the hinge line of the large geologic structure that occupies most of the map. Label the hinge line. 2. Are the rocks getting older or younger farther from the hinge line? 3. Is this geologic structure a plunging anticline or syncline? 4. Provide two lines of evidence that support your answer to Question 8.
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Chapter 15 Solutions

Earth System History 4e & Launchpad Solo For Earth System History (six Months Access)

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