Paleotectonic and paleogeographic history of the Arctic region

Paleogeographic maps represent the ultimate synthesis of complex and extensive geologic data express pictorially hypothetical landscape some region during a given time-slice deep time. Such maps, presented as paired paleogeographic paleotectonic reconstructions, have been developed to portray history greater Arctic over past 400 million years. Collectively they depict four major episodes in development region. The first episode witnessed early middle Paleozoic terrane assembly accretion Caledonian Ellesmerian orogenies, which brought together many pieces collage along northern margin Laurussia. During second phase, Pangea late joined Siberia Laurussia, an entity that became Laurasia subsequent break-up Pangea. Then, Mesozoic subduction constructed Cordilleran opened Canada Basin. Finally, Cenozoic North Atlantic sea-floor spreading fully Ocean.