MapMaster 3

A map displays the geology rock types across different regions of the world, categorized by geological periods and formations. 

Cenozoic sedimentary rocks (green) are prevalent in coastal regions of Washington and Oregon, central California, extending into western Mexico, the Great Plains of North America, the Gulf Coast of the United States and Mexico, and large areas of South America, including the Amazon Basin in Brazil. These rocks also extend east of the Andes from Venezuela through eastern Colombia, western Brazil, eastern Peru, central Bolivia, western Paraguay, and northern Argentina. In Europe, Cenozoic sedimentary rocks are found along the North Sea and Baltic Sea from Belgium to Poland, central Spain, eastern Italy, and non-mountainous eastern Europe. In Russia, they are located near the Caspian Sea and the West Siberian Lowland, and in Central Asia, they surround the Caspian Sea. Northern China also features these rocks, as do the Indus and Ganges river lowlands in South Asia. In Southeast Asia, they are along the Mekong River and throughout Sumatra, Java, Borneo, Luzon, and New Guinea. Southwest Asia sees these rocks in the Tigris and Euphrates river valleys, around the Persian Gulf, and across the eastern Arabian Peninsula. In Africa, they are found in the extreme north, the Sahel Region, the Horn of Africa, and the Kalahari Desert. Australia’s Null arbor Plain and Great Artesian Basin, along with New Zealand’s North Island lowlands, are also comprised of Cenozoic sedimentary rocks.

Paleozoic sedimentary rocks (orange) are widespread in North America, covering areas like northwestern Canada, the Hudson Bay region, northern Utah and Nevada, around Lake Winnipeg, and a large swath from central Texas northeast through the Great Lakes, the St. Lawrence River, southern Quebec, and New England. In South America, they appear in northeastern Brazil and east of the Andes in Peru, Bolivia, and northern Argentina. Europe has Paleozoic sedimentary rocks in Ireland, northern England, Wales, Estonia, Latvia, and parts of eastern and western Ukraine. In Russia, they are found west of the Urals and in eastern Siberia. These rocks also appear in western and southern China, eastern Myanmar, and western Thailand. Africa's largest Paleozoic sedimentary rock areas are in the central and western Sahara and most of South Africa. In Australia, they are found in the central and southeastern regions, and in small areas of New Zealand’s South Island.

Precambrian sedimentary rocks (brown) are mainly located in the shield areas of Canada and among the Rocky Mountains. South America features these rocks in small areas of eastern Venezuela and west-central and coastal Brazil. In Europe, they are found in eastern Norway, central Sweden, and southern Finland. Russia has these rocks in central Siberia, as does central Mongolia and southeastern China. In South Asia, they are south of the Himalayas and throughout central India. Africa’s Precambrian sedimentary rocks are in western (Mali and Mauritania), eastern (Sudan), central (Central African Republic), southern (Zambia and Namibia), and other areas. Australia features these rocks in its northwestern, north-central, and southern parts.

Metamorphic rocks (dark pink) are extensive in the Canadian Shield, coastal Greenland, large portions of Brazil, much of Northern Europe, and mountainous areas of southern Europe, Russia, and Asia. They are also found along Africa’s Atlantic rim, eastern Africa’s Great Rift Valley, and highland areas within the Sahara. Madagascar is largely metamorphic. In Australia, metamorphic rock is in central and far western areas.

Intrusive rocks (red) are prominent in the Canadian Rockies, Sierra Nevada, northern Manitoba, Quebec, Labrador, and Baffin Island. South America has these rocks in eastern Brazil and the Andes in Chile. Europe’s intrusive rocks are in Sweden, Finland, the Iberian Peninsula, central France, and eastern Europe. Russia’s largest areas are east of Lake Baykal. East Asia’s intrusive rocks are on the Korean Peninsula, southeastern and western China, while South Asia has them in northern Pakistan and central and southern India. Africa’s intrusive rocks are scattered in the west and south. In Australia, they are mostly in the western one-third of the country.

Volcanic tectonic (dark gray) rocks in North America are found in the Rocky Mountains, Mexico’s Sierra Madre Occidental, the Appalachians, and around Lake Superior. South America has them along the Andes, the Guiana Highlands, and southern Brazil. Iceland is almost entirely volcanic tectonic rock. Europe has these rocks in Norway, Sweden, and northern Finland. Russia’s volcanic tectonic rocks are along the Urals, Central Siberian Plateau, and in southern and eastern Siberia, including the Kamchatka Peninsula. Japan is predominantly volcanic tectonic rock. Asia also features these rocks in western India, eastern Turkey, and the western Arabian Peninsula. Africa’s largest area is in the Great Rift Valley from the Red Sea through Ethiopia and Kenya to Lake Victoria. Australia’s volcanic tectonic rocks are scattered in the east, north, and west, including Tasmania.

Ice caps (light gray) cover Antarctica and most of Greenland, with the vast Antarctic ice cap obscuring the underlying rock types.