Criteria for Recognit

Extension and RiftingRifts are fault-bounded basins produced by extension of the crust (aulacogensare failed or less active arms of rifts)Crustal attenuation andthinning of lithosphere(from Condie, 1997)Vertically extensive faultsRise of AsthenospherePartial melting ofasthenosphere andlithosphere (base of crust)- bimodal, hightemperature volcanismEpisodic dike injection,pluton/sill emplacementand volcanism alternatewith faulting and crustalsubsidence - rift+/- clasticsedimentationInitial stage of a“WilsonCycle”