Basin Evolution and Sediments

Modern and ancient rift basins are amongst the most important geological structures in terms of their abundance and sediment accumulation. Geologically young, topographically expressed rift structures occur on all continents, as well as on thinned continental crust beneath the sea. Rift basins on both presentday and older, deformed passive continental margins signalize the initial stage (or rift stage) in the formation of a new ocean basin (drift stage). Other rift zones (i.e., failed rifts), including aulacogens, are those which have not evolved into an oceanic stage.