Timing of late Cenozoic volcanic and tectonic events along the western margin of the North American plate

Research Article| October 01, 1982 Timing of late Cenozoic volcanic and tectonic events along the western margin of the North American plate WARREN BARRASH; WARREN BARRASH 1Geoscience Research Consultants; and Department of Geology, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho 83843 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar RAMESH VENKATAKRISHNAN RAMESH VENKATAKRISHNAN 2Geophotography and Remote Sensing Center, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho 83843 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information WARREN BARRASH 1Geoscience Research Consultants; and Department of Geology, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho 83843 RAMESH VENKATAKRISHNAN 2Geophotography and Remote Sensing Center, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho 83843 Publisher: Geological Society of America First Online: 01 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2674 Print ISSN: 0016-7606 Geological Society of America GSA Bulletin (1982) 93 (10): 977–989. https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1982)93<977:TOLCVA>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 Email Permissions Search Site Citation WARREN BARRASH, RAMESH VENKATAKRISHNAN; Timing of late Cenozoic volcanic and tectonic events along the western margin of the North American plate. GSA Bulletin 1982;; 93 (10): 977–989. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1982)93<977:TOLCVA>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 A number of well- to relatively well-dated significant volcanic and tectonic events along the western margin of the North American plate began, ended, or increased intensity at 16 ± 1 m.y. B.P., 10 ± 2 m.y. B.P., and 5 ± 1 m.y. B.P. Continental events at 16 ± 1 m.y. B.P. were related to the upwelling of an elongated mantle diapir, which created a widespread thermal disturbance east of the subducting Farallon plate. Oceanic events at 16 ± 1 m.y. B.P. were largely related to the approach of the East Pacific Rise toward the North American plate. Continental and oceanic events at 10 ± 2 m.y. B.P. were related to the clockwise rotation of the Pacific plate spreading direction and to the increased rate of relative motion between the Pacific and North American plates. Most events at 5 ± 1 m.y. B.P. were related to the opening of the Gulf of California and to the oceanic plate reorganizations of which the gulf-opening was a part. Different styles of response reflect differences between intraplate volcanic and tectonic subdomains. Pulses of volcanic activity do not seem to be directly or solely related to changes of plate motion. Increased volcanic activity at arcs and some intraplate volcanic settings may be indicators or precursors of significant tectonic transition intervals. If so, we may presently be in the midst of such a transition interval. 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.