Stratigraphy and structure of the Laurentian rifted margin in the northern Appalachians: A low-angle detachment rift system

The Neoproterozoic–Early Cambrian rifted margin of eastern Laurentia is framed by promontories and embayments defined by northeast-trending rifts offset by northwest-trending transforms. A regional first-order synthesis of the available stratigraphic data in the northern Appalachians reveals significant along-strike variations in the thickness, composition, age, and facies of synrift and early postrift stratigraphy. These variations are consistent with models for low-angle detachment rift systems and allow for resolution of regional structures specific to low-angle detachments, including upper-plate margins, lower-plate margins, and transform faults that bound zones of oppositely dipping low-angle detachments.