Mesozoic-Cenozoic deformation in the Canadian Cordillera: The record of a “Continental Bulldozer”?

A possible Mesozoic-Cenozoic trajectory for the North American craton is outlined from latitude changes of the craton derived from a revised apparent polar wander path, and from westward movement of the craton based on the assumption that Africa has been the least mobile continent geographically since the latest Paleozoic. During each of five time intervals that span 220 million years, the craton trajectory had a different vector. Each vector appears to be reflected in the Canadian Cordillera by the dominant style and orientation of structures formed during that interval.