Structural basin

Structural basin

A structural basin is a large-scale "structural" formation of rock strata formed by tectonic warping of previously flat lying strata. Structural basins are geological depressions, and are the inverse of domes. Some elongated structural basins are also known as synclines. Structural basins may also be sedimentary basins, which are aggregations of sediment that filled up a depression or accumulated in an area; however, many structural basins were formed by tectonic events long after the sedimentary layers were deposited.

Basins 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 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 of structural basins

Australia

* Amadeus Basin
* Bowen Basin
* Cooper Basin

France

*Paris Basin

United Kingdom

* Hampshire Basin
* London Basin

United States

* Appalachian Basin, Eastern United States
* Big Horn Basin, Wyoming
* Delaware Basin, Texas and New Mexico
* Denver Basin, Colorado
* Illinois Basin, Illinois
* Los Angeles Basin, California
* Michigan Basin, Michigan
* Paradox Basin, Utah and Colorado
* Permian Basin, Texas and New Mexico
* Piceance Basin, Colorado
* Powder River Basin, Wyoming and Montana
* Raton Basin, Colorado and New Mexico
* Sacramento Basin, California
* San Juan Basin, New Mexico and Colorado
* Uinta Basin, Utah
* Williston Basin, Montana and North Dakota

ee also

* Sedimentary basin
* Folds
* Syncline
* Depression (geology)
* Drainage basin

References

*Monroe, James S., and Reed Wicander. "The Changing Earth: Exploring Geology and Evolution." 2nd ed. Belmont: Wadsworth Publishing Company, 1997. ISBN 0-314-09577-2


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