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Structural basin

Large-scale structural geological depression formed by tectonic warping

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Map of world geologic provinces Shield Platform Phanerozoic orogen Foreland or intracratonic Basin Large igneous province Extended continental crust Age of Oceanic crust : 0–20 Ma 20–65 Ma >65 Ma I
USGS · Public domain

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Through Stratum, Tectonics and Coal

Basins may appear on a geologic map as roughly circular or elliptical, with concentric layers. Because the strata dip toward the center, the exposed strata in a basin are progressively younger from the outside in, with the youngest rocks in the center. Basins are often large in areal extent, often hundreds of kilometers across.

Structural basins are often important sources of coal, petroleum, and groundwater.

Examples

Europe

North America

Canada

Trinidad and Tobago

United States

Oceania

Australia

South America

  • Chaco Basin, Argentina, Bolivia and Paraguay
  • Magallanes Basin, Chile
  • Neuquén Basin, Argentina and Chile
  • Paraná Basin, Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay
  • Llanos Basin, Colombia

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