Late Triassic and Early Jurassic palaeogeography of the world

A new version of global and regional palaeogeographic maps is presented for two time intervals. These maps depict the plate tectonic configuration, palaeoenvironment and lithofacies during the Late Triassic (Carnian–Norian) and Early Jurassic (Hettangian–Toarcian) time. The individual maps illustrate the general conditions present during the maximum marine transgressions of higher frequency cyclicity within the Absaroka sequence of Sloss. During Triassic time Pangaea began to stretch, initiating the rifting and future break-up of the supercontinent. The continued northward drift of the Cimmerian continent corresponded with the progressive closure and consumption of Palaeotethys oceanic crust, and the opening of the Neotethys Ocean. The most significant Late Triassic convergent event was the Indosinian orogeny, occurring as a result of the consolidation of South China and North China blocks. Also, Indochina and Indonesia were sutured to South China. At the same time the Qiangtang block approached the Eurasian margin. The consolidation of the North Chinese and Amurian blocks left open a large embayment of Panthalassa, between Amuria and Laurasia, the so-called Mongol-Okhotsk Ocean. Active subduction existed along the margin of this ocean, dipping cratonwards towards East Siberia. The last collisional events of the Uralian orogeny took place during the Triassic and Early Jurassic time. The conclusion of the Uralian orogeny was accompanied by uplift of the adjacent areas of Eastern Europe and Western Siberia. During the Early Jurassic the Palaeotethys Ocean was finally closed and the Cimmerian continent collided with Asia causing the Cimmerian orogeny. The time around the Triassic–Jurassic boundary marked an important biotic extinction event. Plate tectonic activity caused palaeogeographic and palaeoclimatic change, which may have contributed to the mass extinction. From the plate tectonic and palaeogeographic point of view the following events could have influenced the extinction: 1) the closure of Palaeotethys and assembly of the Asian part of Pangaea; 2) the break-up of Pangaea in the future Central Atlantic area and transition from rifting to drifting; and 3) the very extensive basaltic volcanism of the Central Atlantic Magmatic Province.