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North American Continent-Ocean Transects Program (1989) / Chapter Skim
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3. Needed Investigations
Pages 11-14

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From page 11...
... Such models should be tested by new data gathering, which in turn will lead to improved models and further refinement in our understanding of continental evolution. The USGC advocates continuing syntheses of North American continent-ocean transitions in two modes: (1)
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From page 12...
... Also included here are the structures of the deeply buried, greatly extended North American crust of the Mesozoic and Cenozoic passive margins and the nature of specific features such as the outer ridge, possible mantle protrusions at the continent-ocean join, continental microplate structure (Orphan Knoll, Flemish Cap, Blake Plateau) , rift basin configurations, and estimation of amount of magma added to the crust.
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From page 13...
... The reconstruction of terrane migration in Mesozoic Mexico and western North America is also a goal. Also included here is the objective of understanding the widths of modern and ancient boundary zones of the North American plate over which boundary-related motions occur.
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From page 14...
... 14 latitude-parallel components; measures of bulk finite strain and small-domain strains; barometry and thermometry; detections of major rise of fluids and fluid sources; methods of delineating structures in and tracking displacement zones to Arid- and lower crustal depths; improved analysis of the structure of the Moho; and more precise geodetic analyses. Advances should be made in techniques of digitization of data and in software that are compatible with commonly used computers and that allow combination and manipulation in three dimensions.
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Key Terms

  • data acquisition
  • passive margins
  • continental edge
  • blake plateau
  • transects program

  • geophysical studies
  • protolith ages
  • american plate
  • closure history
  • detailed analyses

  • mass transfer
  • crystalline subduction
  • changes indicating
  • terrane boundaries
  • prime sites

  • field data
  • background acting
  • western north
  • seismic profiling
  • advocates continuing

  • continental separation
  • microplate structure
  • chiefly seismic
  • transitions aside
  • isotopic dating

  • extended north
  • major roles
  • edge appears
  • sequence faults
  • include geophysical


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