Full View

Contents of 5.8 How do plate tectonics and sedimentary rocks connect?

5.8 How do plate tectonics and sedimentary rocks connect?

• The patterns of ancient environments is preserved in sedimentary rocks.
• These patterns allow interpretation of ancient geography.
• Aspects of geography are linked to plate tectonics, such as mountains over subduction zones and basins in other areas (low spots).
• Sediments accumulate in tectonic basins.
• These basin rocks provide information about the size of the basin, directions of depositional systems, and relations to highlands being eroded.
• Thus, sedimentary data can be used to interpret the history of plate tectonics.