Hubbard, StephenQuinn, Garrett Michael2016-09-152016-09-1520162016http://hdl.handle.net/11023/3299Foreland basins form and fill in response to convergent-margin tectonism; as such, in this thesis the detrital zircon and stratigraphic record of the Western Interior basin (Montana-Alberta) are studied in order to deduce the geological history the North American Cordillera. Detrital zircon data presented here are generally characterized by either: (1) diverse detrital zircon spectra that reflect recycling from pre-foreland sedimentary strata; and (2) detrital zircon spectra dominated by Mesozoic populations, which indicate provenance dominated by the Cordilleran magmatic arc. The spatial and temporal variation amongst populations from across the basin suggest that the orogen evolved through cyclic pulses of tectonism, and that intrabasinal topography and wedge-top evolution significantly influenced development of sediment-routing systems across the basin. Pulses of arc activity are linked to increased subsidence in the basin, which are commonly reflected in stacking patterns of Early Cretaceous fluvial strata.engUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.GeologyForeland BasinsWestern Interior BasinCordilleran OrogenDetrital Zircon GeochronologyFluvial Stratigraphymaster thesis10.11575/PRISM/26695