The Story of Nova Scotia
There are six different maps of N.S., with various presentations of
geological information. These illustrate the results of plate tectonics and mountain
building that eventually gave us our province. For each map, answer the following
questions (share the maps around with tender care please!). You will need your
own map called “The Tale is in the Rock: A Geological History of Nova Scotia”…
Answer on looseleaf.
Using your map:
1. A) Define a terrane.
B) Give the names and general location areas of our terranes.
2. Where, when and under what conditions were the Meguma Group rocks formed?
3. A) What is an orogeny?
B) Describe the formation and locations of the Avalonian and the Acadian
Orogenies.
4. A) When did the South Mountain Batholith form?
B) What areas have this intrusion and resulting erosion affected?
5. What can you find at Blue Beach, near Hantsport and Windsor?
Metamorphic Map:
1. What is the main type of metamorphic rock facies along the northern Valley
area, extending along to Cape Breton? Name of this orogeny?
2. Detail the two main rock types, orogeny and relative time period that formed
the southern mountain area of the Valley.
3. What rock facies and zones are indicative of high temperature metamorphism,
and low?
Geological Map: (also in large size at back of room…)
1. What are the types of rocks and the geological time periods of deposition/
formation that are found in the Valley? List.
2. When observing a stratigraphic column, such as the one found on the far right
side of the map, what do the squiggly lines represent? Explain.
3. What rock types are included in the Meguma Group? List.
T Webb – Horton High, Wolfville, NS
Structural Map:
1. What type of folding occurred in the Valley?
2. What is the general orientation of the anticlines formed during the Devonian
Period? Possible reasons for this?
Tectonic Map:
1. Which terrane is the largest?
2. Why would the mantle have a higher calculated seismic compressional velocity
than continental crust?
Terranes in the Northern Appalachians Map:
1. Prince Edward Island developed in what time period? Terrane name?
2. List the three major faults found in N.S. and their general location.
Nova Scotia Time-Space Diagram Map:
1. How many rift zones affected this area of N.S.? Identify by name and time
frame.
2. During what stage(s) did this area experience subduction? Identify the tectonic
element(s) by name.
T Webb – Horton High, Wolfville, NS