In recent years there have been rapid strides in our understanding of plate-tectonic processes, many developments in methods of basin analysis, and the accumulation of much new surface and subsurface geological and geophysical data. Projects such as COCORP (in the United States) and Lithoprobe (in Canada) have provided essential insights into the deep crustal structure of the continent. Synthesis of all the available information about North America's geological regions has not been attempted systematically since the "Decade of North American Geology project undertaken by the Geological Society of America and the Geological Survey of Canada nearly twenty years ago. The book commences with a summary of the Phanerozoic geological history of the United States and Canada, illustrated with a suite of new paleogeographic maps, and tying in each of the subsequent regional chapters by the inclusion of numerous cross-references. This followed by a set of fifteen regional syntheses of the principal tectonic regions of the United States and Canada, focusing on the stratigraphic and tectonic history of the major sedimentary basins. Most of these chapters have been contributed by specialists, drawing on their own research, and providing interpretive summaries of a type not previously attempted. - Up-to-date synthesis of the sedimentary/tectonic history of the major areas of the United States and Canada - Up-to-date references - Many new color maps

"In this well-illustrated book, Hildebrand expands upon his model for the development of the North American Cordillera detailed in Special paper 457. Starting with an overview of Cordilleran geology he goes on to provide an in depth look at how the Rubian ribbon continent was assembled. He integrates the complex geology of the Cordillera into an actualistic model involving arc magmatism, arc-continent collision, slab failure magmatism, and transcurrent motion in both Rubia and the western North American margin. While much of the focus is on the assembly of the Rubian ribbon continent, Hildebrand explores its interactions with North America during the Sevier and Laramide events and concludes that North America was the lower plate in both"--Provided by publisher.

"Inspired by a GSA Penrose Conference held in 2005 (cosponsored by the International Association of Sedimentologists and the British Sedimentological Research Group), the 17 papers in this volume explore sedimentary environments in arc collision zones and their utility in recording the evolution of modern and ancient convergent margins. The first set of papers in the collection focuses on formation and evolution of the sedimentary record in arc settings and arc collision zones, concentrating on modern intra-oceanic examples. Papers include studies of flexural modeling and factors that affect development of siliciclastic and carbonate deposits around modern arcs. The second half of the volume presents new applications of arc sedimentary records. These relate primarily to constraining tectonic events in the evolution of arc systems, but also concern the links among tectonic uplift, collision, and geomorphic and climatic feedback mechanisms in arc collision zones."--Publisher's website.

Wright (geology, U. of Georgia) and Shervais (geology, Utah State U.) edit selections from a symposium titled "Ophiolites, Batholiths, and Regional Geology: A Session in Honor of Cliff Hopson" held at the Cordilleran Section Meeting of The Geological Society of America in 2005. With contributions from geologists and earth scientists from throughout the United States, the title contains separate sections for papers on the topics of ophiolites, arcs, and batholiths. The publication is illustrated in both black-and-white and color, but contains no index.