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HOW SEDIMENTARY BASINS ARE FORMED




Plate movements or simply put, Plate motion give rise to Basins. Basins are formed as a result of the deformation of the Earth’s Lithosphere. However, some deformations only occur in the Crust. Wherever and wherever basins occur, deposition sets in. Also, it provides an environment for traps formation, where fluids like hydrocarbon can be trapped.

Because of the constant expansion and contraction (ductility) of the lithosphere, there comes to a point in the expansion of the lithosphere that it exceeds the threshold thereby becoming ‘Plastic’. A little further stress on it results to subsidence hence a basin is formed. Simply put, Sedimentary Basins arise (or are formed) as a result of Plates movement.

There exists three broad classification of basin based on how they are formed and the processes at play in their formation namely:

Convergent Basins;
Divergent Basins; and
Tectonic Basins.


Have you heard of Vasquez??

Convergent Basins: Usually give rise to trenches. This is characterized by the subduction of the oceanic lithosphere.
Other examples of basins that are in this category include: Forearc Basins, Trench-slope basins.

Divergent Basins: Usually gives rise to rift valleys. The rift could be within the continental Crust or Oceanic Crust. If it happens within the Continental Crust, it could be caused by volcanic activities.

Tectonic Basins: Are Basins formed as a result of tectonic activities.

However, some other basins occur like Transpressional Basins, Transtensional and Transrotational Basins. These are caused whenever a strike-slip fault occurs as a result of Plates movement.

Economic Importance of Basins


Basins form a trap for fossil fuels like Coal, Petroleum. Also, places where basins exist, there are high prospects of Groundwater in those locations because porosity tends to increase.

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