Journal of Petroleum Geology, Vol.1, No.3, pp. 63-74, 1979

©Copyright 2000 Scientific Press, Ltd.

USE OF FORELAND MONITORS IN THE CORRELATION AND ANALYSIS OF OROGENIC PULSES

H. H. Wilson*

* Petroleum Geological Consultant. The Louisiana Land and Exploration Co., P.O. Box 60350, New Orleans, La. 70160, U.S.A.

Abstract

Theories on crustal evolution have been developed from geologic investigations in orogenic belts and in the less deformed foreland or epeirogenic areas. In this paper, it is suggested that, because one global mechanism must govern the evolution of both orogenic and epeirogenic areas, the two must be closely related. Because the interpretation of orogenic belts is complicated so greatly by extreme deformation, metamorphism, and loss of data through erosion, it is logical to seek interpretative leads on their orogenic style and timing by precise observations and analyses of structural "monitors" in the less complex borderlands.