GEOPHYSICAL CORNER

The Geophysical Corner is a regular column in the EXPLORER, produced cooperatively by the AAPG Geophysical Integration and SEG Interpretation committees, and edited by M. Ray Thomasson.

This month's column, the third in a four-part series dealing with plate kinematics ("Arm Waving, or Underutilized Exploration Tool?"), is titled "Building Quantitative Plate Kinematic Frameworks for Regional Exploration Assessments."

A Removal-Restoration Project

By JAMES PINDELL
LORCAN KENNAN
and STEPHEN BARRETT

Current Article

Click on graphic for details.

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3.

Successive pre-Aptian reconstructions of Gondwana and North America, using the Equatorial Atlantic fit of figure 2. This analysis provides a quantitative framework in which to build more locally detailed models of the evolution of the Gulf of Mexico and surrounding areas. Note pre-Andean/pre-rift restoration of the northern Andes on the Triassic position of South America: This defines how much of Mexico is definitely allochthonous versus how much is potentially -- but not necessarily -- autochthonous.

Graphics courtesy of Pindell, Kennan and Barrett