What mechanism is proposed for Cretaceous subsidence of the Canadian and American prairies?
A)An underlying mantle plume suddenly quit, cooled, and subsided.
B)A subducting slab detaches from the trailing lithosphere, creating a downward flow that drags the base of the overriding continent with it.
C)A former broad monocline under the prairies eventually flattened out.
D)A large Cretaceous meteorite impacted the prairies, the evidence for which has yet to be found.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The mechanism proposed for Cretaceous subsidence of the Canadian and American prairies is the detachment of a subducting slab from the trailing lithosphere. This creates a downward flow that drags the base of the overriding continent with it. This is the most widely accepted explanation for the subsidence of the prairies during the Cretaceous period.

What Mechanism Is Proposed for Cretaceous Subsidence of the Canadian