Geology of northern Alaska
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Published:January 01, 1994
Abstract
This chapter describes the geology of northern Alaska, the largest geologic region of the state of Alaska. Lying entirely north of the Arctic Circle, this region covers an area of almost 400,000 km2 and includes all or part of 36 1:250,000 scale quadrangles (Fig. 1). Northern Alaska is bordered to the west and north by the Chukchi and Beaufort seas, to the east by the Canadian border, and to the south by the Yukon Flats and Koyukuk basin. Geologically, it is notable because it encompasses the most extensive area of coherent stratigraphy in the state, and it contains...
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Contents
The Geology of Alaska

You get a comprehensive overview of the geology, tectonic evolution, and mineral resources of Alaska and adjacent areas of the continental margin. Plates include state-wide maps showing geology, physiography, lithotectonic terranes, metamorphic rocks, igneous rocks, sedimentary basins, isotopic age data, neotectonics, isostatic gravity, magnetics, and metallic mineral deposits. Summaries of bedrock geology and geologic history are given for eleven large regions of Alaska and adjacent offshore areas. Twenty topical chapters synthesize data on metamorphic and igneous rocks; major onshore and offshore sedimentary basins; the paleomagnetics evidence for latitudinal displacements and rotations, glacial history and periglacial phenomena; and the occurrence, evolution, and potential of Alaska's vast resources of petroleum, coal, and metallic minerals. A summary chapter provides an overview and presents a possible model for Alaska's Phanerozoic evolution. The Geology of Alaska is the largest publication produced in the Decade of North American Geology program, a fitting tribute to this magnificent area.