Tectonic synthesis of the Ouachita orogenic belt

Includes 14 chapters on the Appalachian orogen, 15 of the Ouachita orogen, and a chapter on the connection between them beneath the eastern Gulf Coastal Plain. The Appalachian chapters synthesize the geologic development of the orogen by tectonostratigraphic intervals (pre-orogenic, Taconic, Acadian, Alleghanian, and post-Alleghanian), and also treat Paleozoic paleontologic control, regional geophysics, thermal history of the crystalline terranes, parts of the orogen buried beneath the Atlantic and eastern Gulf coastal plains, regional geomorphology, mineral and energy resources; an integration chapter also is included. The Ouachita chapters cover physical stratigraphy and biostratigraphy of the Paleozoic rocks, structural geology, a synthesis of the subsurface geology beneath the western Gulf Coastal Plain, a review of the mineral and energy resources, regional geophysics, and a tectonic synthesis. Twelve excellent plates provide four-color geologic maps, structural cross sections, tectonic syntheses, and geophysical maps; a black-and-white synthesis of Appalachian mineral deposits, and a reflection seismic cross section.