Stikinia

Stikinia is the name of a tectonostratigraphic terrane in the Canadian Cordillera of British Columbia, Canada. It was formed in a volcanic arc environment during the Paleozoic and Mesozoic periods. Until now, the Paleozoic rocks that form a semicontinuous belt along its western margin (Stikine assemblage) were only recognized in a restricted area in northern British Columbia, between the Stikine and Taku river areas. In contrast, Mesozoic Stikinia rocks form an almost continuous belt that extends much farther to the north, leading some authors to question the nature of the unexposed Paleozoic basement north of the Taku River area. The following correlations have significant implications for tectonic reconstructions of the northern Cordillera because they suggest that Stikinia's Paleozoic volcanic-sedimentary basement is more widespread than previously thought.