The Carboniferous in Northeast region, Mexico

Paleontology and geology

Carboniferous rocks in the Northeastern Region of Mexico formed in the shallow to deep seas off the coast of Gondwana. These seas were home to brachiopods, bryozoans, gastropods, echinoderms, and corals and their fossils are found in some of the limestones, sandstones, and shales in this region. The fossils are now more North American in nature because Gondwana moved closer to Laurentia during this period. By the Middle Carboniferous, the two continents began to collide. This collision and the subduction of oceanic crust between them pushed up some areas and dropped others down into basins. It also created volcanoes, which poured lava and ash over the land and sea. Many of these rocks have been buried or eroded away, and the few remaining outcrops are too small to appear on this map. Other more detailed maps may show them.