PASSIVE CONTINENTAL MARGIN SEDIMENTS

AS THE NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN WIDENED, THE CONTINENTAL MARGIN COOLED AND SUBSIDED

THESE ARE “PASSIVE” CONTINENTAL MARGINS BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT ACTIVE PLATE BOUNDARIES

THICK (5 KM OR MORE) SEDIMENTS WERE LAID DOWN ON THE CONTINENTAL SHELF

(Press & Siever)

SOME SUCH CONTINENTAL MARGIN SEDIMENTARY BASINS ARE MAJOR SOURCES OF OIL AND NATURAL GAS