Middle Jurassic marine conglomeratic and debris-flow deposits in the Mt. Tallac roof pendant are interpreted to be syntectonic fault trough deposits. Similar deposits in similar stratigraphic successions throughout the northern Sierra Nevada demonstrate that the Middle Jurassic continental-margin arc north of latitude 39° was essentially marine, and possibly extensional or transtensional in nature. Recognition of Middle Jurassic syntectonic deposits in the northern Sierra Nevada establishes continuity of structural style between the arc in the northern Sierra Nevada and a portion of the arc south of latitude 39°, which has been interpreted as an ancient analog of the modern extensional or transtensional Central American arc. The Middle Jurassic marine conglomeratic deposits in the northern Sierra Nevada form one of three post–Late Triassic stratigraphic elements shared by the northern Sierra terrane and rocks of probable cratonal affinity in west-central Nevada. Upper Triassic limestone in the northern Sierra Nevada is linked faunally to correlative limestone of west-central Nevada. While correlation is speculative, Lower to Middle(?) Jurassic intervals of quartzose sandstone are common to parts of the Sailor Canyon Formation in the northern Sierra terrane and to rocks of the Auld Lang Syne Group, Boyer Ranch Formation, and Dunlap Formation of west-central Nevada. Middle Jurassic syntectonic conglomeratic deposits, such as in the Dunlap Formation of west-central Nevada, are now recognized in the northern Sierra terrane as well.