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Iapetus Ocean
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Cambrian paleogeography Cambrian paleogeography Ordovician paleogeography
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Iapetus Ocean

geology
Also known as: Iapetus Sea
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Cambrian paleogeography
Cambrian paleogeography Distribution of landmasses, mountainous regions, shallow seas, and deep ocean basins during the Late Cambrian. Included in the paleogeographic reconstruction are cold and warm ocean currents. The present-day coastlines and tectonic boundaries of the configured continents are shown in the inset at the lower right. Map B provides a “backside” view of the reconstruction shown in Map A.

The Iapetus Ocean was a Paleozoic ocean that existed between the continents of Laurentia and Baltica, as well as the microcontinent of Avalonia. It separated these landmasses from the supercontinent of Gondwana. This ancient ocean is named after Iapetus, a Titan in Greek mythology.123

The Iapetus Ocean's closure, through subduction and continental collision, led to the formation of the Appalachian-Caledonide mountain belt. This process, where oceans close and reopen, is known as the Wilson cycle. Evidence for the Iapetus Ocean's existence includes thick sequences of marine sedimentary rocks and ophiolites, which are remnants of oceanic crust. The Iapetus Ocean began to close during the Silurian and Devonian periods and was fully consumed by the time the Appalachian-Caledonide mountains formed.12

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
4 Britannica Sources
  1. Rodinia
  2. plate tectonics - Wilson cycle
  3. Ordovician Period - Circulation
  4. Iapetus

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