Geologic province

A geologic province or geological province is a spatial entity with common geologic attributes.^[1] A province may include a single dominant structural element such as a basin or a fold belt, or a number of contiguous related elements. Adjoining provinces may be similar in structure but be considered separate due to differing histories.

Geologic provinces of the world (USGS)

Shield   Platform   Orogen   Basin   Large igneous province   Extended crust

Oceanic crust:   0–20 Ma   20–65 Ma   >65 Ma

Geologic provinces by origin

Province	Definition	Subcategories	Examples
Shield	Exposed Precambrian crystalline igneous and metamorphic rocks that form tectonically stable areas		Arabian-Nubian Shield Canadian Shield
Platform	Horizontal or gently-lying sedimentary strata covering a basement of igneous or metamorphic rocks	Carbonate platform	East European Platform
Orogen	Linear or arc-shaped formation where continental crust has been folded, deformed and uplifted to form mountain ranges	Island arc Continental arc Forearc	Laramide Orogeny Andean Orogeny
Basin	Low-lying formation of rock strata formed by tectonic warping of previously horizontal strata	Cratonic basin Foredeep basin Sedimentary basin	Illinois Basin Paraná Basin
Large igneous province	Accumulation of igneous rocks, including liquid rock (intrusive) or volcanic rock formations (extrusive)		North Atlantic Igneous Province Columbia River Basalt Group
Extended crust	Continental crust thinned due to extensional strain	Passive margin Rift	Basin and Range Province Northern Cordilleran Volcanic Province

Geologic provinces by resources

US coal regions and provinces.

Some studies classify provinces based upon mineral resources, such as mineral deposits. There are a particularly large number of provinces identified worldwide for petroleum and other mineral fuels, such as the Niger Delta petroleum province.

See also

• Physiographic province
• Geomorphology
• United States Geological Survey