Initial Flood Deposits of the Western North American Cordillera: California, Utah and Idaho

Discontinuous but widespread coherent packages (unbroken by major unconformities) of Neoproterozoic sedimentary strata, recognized by basal diamictite deposits (debris flows), outcrop throughout the western North American Cordillera. These phenomenal clastic packages, which represent high-energy sedimentary environments, overlie older sedimentary, metamorphic and igneous rocks, and underlie younger regionally widespread fossiliferous sandstone, carbonate and shale. The basal, high-energy debris flow deposits sporadically occur throughout the length of the western North American Cordillera and... Mehr ...