EESA06H3 Chapter 20: Chapter 20
8 Nov 2017
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Document Summary
The geological history of canada began at least 4 billion years ago with the formation of early land masses that eventually combined to form the north. The exposed part of the craton is called the canadian shield and represents an ancient erosional surface buried along its outer margins by younger rocks that form a sedimentary cover (figure 20. 3). Unravelling the history of the development of the north american craton has stimulated many geologists, from early settlers searching for mineral deposits to modern geoscientists trying to identify processes responsible for continental formation. The oldest part of the north american craton formed between 4 and 2. 5 billion years ago and was part of an ancient continent called arctica (figure 20. 4). This ancient part of the craton contains much of canada"s mineral wealth. Between 2. 5 and about 1. 5 billion years ago parts of other continents were added to arctica to form a larger land mass called nena.
