ATLANTIC RIFTING

OPENING OF PRESENT NORTHATLANTIC OCEAN WAS PART OF THE BREAKUP OF PANGAEA ABOUT 200 MYR AGO

BEGAN BY CONTINENTAL RIFTING RECORDED IN RIFT VALLEYS LIKE CONNECTICUT RIVER VALLEY

RIFT VALLEYS FORMED BASINS THAT TRAPPED SEDIMENTS AND WERE INTRUDED BY BASALTIC LAVA FLOWS LIKE THOSE IN PALISADES (HUDSON RIVER)