GULF OF MEXICO AS A SEDIMENTARY BASIN I. Next week in northern Arizona, you will see a lot of strata comprising examples of past biospheres. A. These strata are preserved in a sedimentary basin - what is that? B. Gulf of California is a particular type of sedimentary basin, One cause by the growth of new ocean floor and movement along a giant fault system. II. Review of Plate Tectonics. III. Description of the Gulf of Mexico. Area around CEDO. IV. Deep basins and anoxia - the Guaymas basin. V. Region around the Colorado River delta and Puerto Penasco. VI. Pinacate Volcanic Complex. V. Gran Desierto, dunes and lavas.