STRUCTURAL BASIN

(Redirected from Basin (geology))
A 'structural basin' is a large-scale ''structural'' formation of rock strata formed by tectonic warping of previously flat lying strata. Structural basins are geological depressions, and are the inverse of domes. Some elongated structural basins are also known as synclines. Structural basins may also be sedimentary basins, which are aggregations of sediment that filled up a depression or accumulated in an area; however, many structural basins were formed by tectonic events long after the sedimentary layers were deposited.
Basins appear on a geologic map as roughly circular or elliptical, with concentric layers. Because the strata dip toward the center, the exposed strata in a basin are progressively younger from outside-in, with the youngest rocks in the center. Basins are often large in areal extent, often hundreds of kilometers across.
Structural basins are often important sources of coal, petroleum, and groundwater.

Contents

Examples of structural basins

Australia

France

United States

See also

Reference

Examples of structural basins

Australia

★ Amadeus Basin

France

★ Paris Basin

United States

★ Appalachian Basin, Eastern United States

★ Denver Basin, Colorado

★ Illinois Basin, Illinois

★ Los Angeles Basin, California

★ Michigan Basin, Michigan

★ Paradox Basin, Utah and Colorado

★ Permian Basin, Texas and New Mexico

★ Raton Basin, Colorado and New Mexico

★ Sacramento Basin, California

★ San Juan Basin, New Mexico and Colorado

See also

★ Sedimentary basin

★ Folds

★ Syncline

★ Depression (geology)

Reference

★ Monroe, James S., and Reed Wicander. ''The Changing Earth: Exploring Geology and Evolution.'' 2nd ed. Belmont: Wadsworth Publishing Company, 1997. ISBN 0-314-09577-2