Parallelisms of Elements of Plate Tectonics, Geologic

Structures, and Gold and Silver Deposits of the West

In the early 1980's, commodity prices for gold and silver reached over $800/oz. and $50 oz., respectively. This spurred the

search for precious metals in a reassessment of gold mining areas. Plate Tectonics afforded a new means of gauging the

potential of areas.

The following photos of exploration maps of the time show parallelisms of principle elements of plate tectonics and

structures in gold bearing areas of the west.

• PHOTO -- Components of Plate Tectonics -- Northwest Coast of the United States
• PHOTO -- Plate Tectonic Movements -- Western United States and Landward Effects
• PHOTO -- Modern Overview of the North American Plate (USGS, PP1515)
• PHOTO -- Distribution of Quaternary Volcanic Deposits -- California & Nevada
• PHOTO -- Distribution of Principle Faults and Geothermal Fields -- California & Nevada
• PHOTO -- Distribution of Gold & Silver Deposits in the West

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