The Cambrian in Rhode Island, US

Paleontology and geology

During the Cambrian, the state was part of a volcanic arc that was situated far to the south of its current location. Although there are no surface exposures of Cambrian rocks shown on this map, metamorphosed sedimentary rocks can be found in southern Narraganset Bay in the eastern part of the state. Some of these rocks contain trilobites, which provide evidence that a sea covered part of the state during this time.