In This Issue I

AEG 33RD ANNUAL MEETING . 170

COASTAL CONFERENCE . 170
GEOLOGICAL REMOTE SENSING CONFERENCE 170
SEA CLIFF EROSION . 171
HUNGRY VALLEY FORMATION. LOWER MEMBER DEPOSiTION 178
A PU8L1CATION OF THE CALIFORNIA GEOLOGY EDITOR·IN-CHIEF RETIRES 184
DEPARTMENT Of CONSERVATION
DIVISION OF MINES AND GEOLOGY SURVEY OF CALIFORNIA GEOLOGY READERS . 185
BOOK REVIEWS •.•..•.... . 187
MAIL ORDER FORM •.. .189
Stal.ol CaM",n,a GEORGE DEUKMEJIAN
GoVllf/lO. CALIFORNIA GEOLOGY SUBSCRIPTION FORM .190
RESOURCES FOR EARTH SCIENCE TEACHERS .191
The Resoorces Agency GORDON K VAN VLECK MEMORIAL-DR. ADOLF PABST. .192
Secrelary for Resovrces

OejIarlmenl 01 Cooserval,on RANDALL M. WARD

lJ,rocIO' Cover: Example of sea cliff erosion along the California coast. Shoreline
JAMES F DAVIS retreal is a continuing natural geologic process along 86% of the 1.1 OO·mile·
Siale Geoklglsl long California coast. Waves, tides. wind, rain, and waler runoff from human
activities combine to wear down and reshape sea cliffs. Allhough consider·
CALIfORNIA GEOLOGY sial! able money and ellort is spent on protecllve structures-such as concrete
seawalls. wooden seawalls, gabions. and rip·rap-Io withstand direct wave
Don Dupras attack, such slructures eventually fail over geologic lime. Engineers com-
Louise Huckaby monly build well-devised protective structures with design lives of 20 to 25
Graphics and DeSign:
years. This consideration is sometimes overlooked when planning long-term
Publicallons Supervisor: Jeff Tamberl cliff top structures along California's coastline. An article about this problem
starts on page' 71. Photo by Robert Norris.
Oepa,'ment 01 General Services
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AugUSl 199ONolume 43/Number 8
CGEOA 43 (8) 169·192 (1990)
AEG 33rd Coastal
Annual Meeting Conference
The Aliegheny·Ohio Seclion of the The 1welfth intemalionaJ conference titled
Association of Engineering GeoIogiS1S "Our Coastal Experience: Assessing lhe
(AEG) will hasl the 33rd Annual Meeling Past, Confronting the FUlUre" will be held
of the Association of Engineering Geolo- from October 21-24. 1990 in San Antonio.
9iSls on October 1-5. 1990 in Pittsburg. Texas. The conference is sponsored by the
Pennsylvania. The theme of this nalional CoaslaJ Society. Shoreline retreat ;s
meeting is "Engineering Geology for lhe occurring along 86% of California's 1.100
9O·s." The program irlCludes technical mile-long coast. An eslimated $100 million
sessions. symposia, and short courses. in damage occurred to ocean fronl properly
To receive a brochure and infonnation in California during 1983 storms. M·
for registralion and exhibits contact: vance<! planning will help miligale future
losses. For additional information contact,
AEG. MEMS
P.O. Box 270 William Wise
Greensburg. PA 15601 Slate University of New York
(412) 836·6813, (800) 343-5129 Stony Brook. NY 11794
or (800) 441-1674 (in PAl ~ (516} 632-8656 ~
Geological
Remote Sensing Conference
The "ConfererlCe on Geologic Remote $ensing: Exploralion. Engineerin9 and the
Environmen1" will be held from April 29 to May 2. 1991 at the Marriott City Center.
Denver. Colorado. The conference will include applications of remote sensing lechnoJ-
ogy directed tOVJard mineral and hydrocarbon (oil and gas) exploration. engineering
geology problems. and environmental applicalions. There will be over 200 technical
presentations by experts from more than 30 countries. During the past 10 years there
has been significanl application of remote sensing towards eat1h science. For additional
information contad:
Nancy J. Wallman. ERIM
P.O. Box 8618
Ann Arbor. MI48107
(313) 994-1200. Ext. 3234

'70 CALIFORNIA GEOLOGY AUGUST 1990

A Photo Essay
Sea Cliff Erosion:
A Major Dilemma
INTRODUCTION
her many years or observation. the
A author concludes that various engi-
neering structures used as protective
measures to reduce or eliminate sea cliff
erosion in California are not effective
over time. A great deal of time. money.
and dislress can be avoided if. prior 10
buikling structures at or near the top of
sea cliffs. an ample zone is allolted for
naturally occurring cliff erosion to lake
place. Because protective devkes con-
structed at the base of sea cliffs provide
only temporary protection. and in the
long term these partial protective meas-
ures always fail. alternatives should be
considered.
Geologists have long recognized that
all cliffs are inherently unstable. and are
only temporary features over geologic
time. Cliffs cut in hard crystalline rocks.
like El Capitan in Yosemite Valley, are
more durable than cliffs cut in soft
sedimentary rocks. but both will yield
eventually 10 erosion. On the California
coaSI there are very few durable rock
outcrops: most coastal cliffs are cut in
relatively weak sedimentary rocks and
steep cliffs are eroded by wave action
which regularly undercuts the cliffs and
removes fallen debris from the cliff
00...
In places where the sea has retreated
from the cliff base for some years. talus
and loose soil and rock (colluvium)"
from the cliff lace gradually pile up at
the base of the cliff and build upward
toward the lop of the cliff. This proc-
ess is evident. for example. at San CIe-
menle Stale Beach, Orange County
(PhOtO 1). Here, the Santa Fe Railroad
'SeII Glos.sary. page 177
By
ROBEAT M. NOARIS,
Professor 01 Geology. Ementus
University of California. Santa Barbara
Photo 1. sea elill composed oltha Capistrano Formalion at San Clemente Stale
Beach. Orange CounlY. The Santa Fe Railway at the cliff base prolects this clilt
from direct manne allack. Nonmanne processes. chiefly rain wash. caused the
!Iutmg and badlands topography In this soft rock unit. Note the accumulation of
lalus al the cliff base. Photos by Robert M. Noms, except as noted.
track constructed along the base of the out weak beds at the base of the cliff
cliff has protected the cliff for many and eventually undercuts the cliff to the
years Irom direct wave attack. In the point where the overlying unsupported
intervening years. Ihe pile 01 eroded material collapses onlo the beach.
rock and soil accumulating at the cliff Waves also work along joint or fault
base has reached nearly half way up the planes 10 loosen blocks of rock or soil
original cliff al many places. As this (Photo 2).
erosional process continues, the near,
verfical original cliff will be replaced The second type of marine erosion
with a gentler slope near the angle of that causes sea cliff retreat is known as
repose· for dry material. Over a period solution erosion. a chemical process in
of time, even the top edge of the cliff which the soluble minerals are dissolved
will wear back or retreat a considerable out of rocks. The solution process is
distance. effective on limestone cliffs where sea
water dissolves the lime in the rocks.
SEA CLIFF RETREAT resulting in the formation of deep
notches. This process is very important
Marine ErOSIon
on some raised coral islands in the
Sea cliff retreal is caused by marine south Pacific Ocean and on the lime-
and nonmarine agents, including wave stone coasts of the Mediterranean and
altack. solution, and wind driven salt the Adriatic seas. However. only minor
spray. The main type of marine ero- amounts of limestone occur along the
sion is direct wave altack at the cliff California coast and solution is not a
base. This process frequently quarries major cause of sea cliff retreat,
CAlIFORNIA GEOlOGY AUGUST 1990
Photo 2. Marine erosion of Monlerey Formation at Gaviota
State Beach. Santa Barbara County. Wave erosion has cut a
rock plalform at the base of the cliH and created a small sea
cave in a joint crack.

Photo 3. Erosion of sea cliff caused by waler from a leaking

drain below a concrete porch at a cliff-lOP house: photo taken
in 1974.

... Photo 4. Same house (lefl) shown in Photo 3; photo taken

in 1980. Repair work to prevent erosion of the cliff included
installafion of a drain pipe (extreme left) to prevent water
from flowing over the cliff edge and a sea wall of wooden
piles constructed at the cliff base.

A third type of marine erosion occurs when winds pick up

salt spray from waves and drive the spray against sea cliffs.
This salty water may be absorbed by porous sedimentary
rocks. and as the water evaporates. sal! crystals form on the
soil and in the porous rocks. The surface of the cliff malerial
slowly flakes off and falls 10 the beach below. This process
affects the enfire cliff face. unlike wave erosion and solution
erosion which occur only where sea water comes into direct
contact with the rocks of the cliff.

Barriers placed at the bottom of the cliff may defer wave

erosion, but may have no effect on saIl spray or on solution
processes.

CALIFORNIA GEOlOGY AUGUST 1990


Nonmarine Erosion
Nonmarine agents responsible for
cliff erosion include chemical and
mechanical erosion processes. surface
drainage water. and rainwater. None
of these processes are affected by con-
struction of cliff-base protective struc-
tures. Moreover, it is a serious mistake
to ignore these processes when design-
ing protective devices because they may
account for as much as half of the cliff
retreat along portions of the California
coast (Photos 3-6).
Erosion is generally a gradual proc-
ess. Chemical erosion causes oxidation
and hydration. These processes may
remove cementing materials in rocks,
allowing grains to separate from one
another. Volume changes by hydration
or oxidation can weaken or W€dge
rocks apart. Mechanical erosion proc>
esses. such as the freezing and thawing
action of water in crevices. are gener-
ally not an important factor in Califor-
nia due to the mild climate along the
coast.
Surface water runoff and wind-driven
rainwater are important sea cliff erosive
agents. Water running over the cliff
edge and wind-driven rain causes the
fluting· often seen on cliff faces. These
'See Glo$~ry. pag8 177.
same processes have sculptured bad-
lands topography. such as Red Rock
Canyon in Kern County. Califomia and
Bryce Canyon in Utah. This type of
topography is developed on soft. rela-
tively unconsolidated rocks like
mudstones or clayey shales (Photo 1).
Groundwater seeping from a cliff
face may cause another kind of non-
marine erosion called spring sapping·.
a process which creates alcove-like
reentrants on the cliff face. and under-
mines and weakens the strata above
(Photo 7). This process has excavated
large valleys on windward parts of the
Hawaiian Islands where very large
CALIFORNIA GEOLOGY AUGUST 1990
.... Photo 5. Same clill seen in Photos 3
and 4; photo taken in 1987. The sea
cliff has retreated back Irom the edge
01 the porch ollhe house (right side
01 photo). The drain has lallen oil: an
alcove is developing underneath one
building (second 'rom right).
Photo 6. Same cliff shown in
Photos 3-5; photo taken in 1989.
The alcove under the house on lhe
right has been enlarged.
~
springs emerge from the porous lava
flows. Similar effects occur on the
bluffs of the Snake River near Twin
Falls. Idaho. However. persistent flows
of groundwaler and active spring sap-
ping are minor on the generally arid
Califomia coast.
Where coastal developments are not
serviced by municipal sewage systems.
effluent from septic tanks may cause
spring sapping of a sea cliff. Even
where well-defined spring sapping does
not occur, the septic system effluent
will raise the pore pressure in sedi-
ments or rocks Into which it is intro-
duced. and thus reduce shear strength

Photo 8. Plastic sheeting has been hung over the sea cliff to
protect it from water draining over the cliff top, Isla Vista, Santa
Barbara County. Photo taken in 1986.
- causes spring sapping and sloughing of
If bedding. fracture, or joint planes dip
seaward, water may move along these
planes and rock slides may occur. In-
stallation of sewer systems in developed
areas of the coastline can greatly reduce
cliff erosion caused by spring sapping.
Property owners can protect cliff-top
land from erosion by using drainage
systems to carry water away from un-
'"
..... Photo 7. Same c\iU top shown in Photo 8.
..... Photo 9. Sea c1ilf at More Ranch Beach.
stable areas and to prevent surface run-
off down the cliff face. The cliff top
can be stabilized by planting drought-
tolerant vegetation, Vegetation that
requires regular watering will exacerbate
the problem it is meant to correct.
Even drought-resistant vegetation may
have undesirable effects because roots
wedge rocks apart during growth. It is
impractical to place plants on the edge
of vertical cliffs or on cliffs where the
CALIFORNIA GEOLOGV AUGUST 1990
CliU top beneath porches has retreated
and porch raillngs have been made more
secure. Concrete column and foundation
are exposed under the porches of the
houses.
Santa Barbara County; photo taken in
1971. Water is seeping from a
permeable zone (dark area) about two·
thirds of the way up the clill. This water
the eli!! face. The water is probably
draining from septic tanks and garden
irrigation on the cliff top.
retreat rate is so rapid vegetation can-
not be established.
Plastic sheeting has also been used to
protect cliffs from rain wash (Photos 8
and 9). However, constant repair and
maintenance are required to keep the
plastic in place. Strong winds, espe-
cially those occurring during storms,
can tear the sheeting and leave the cliff
face unprotected when most needed.
 .. Photo 10. Small translational rock slide
in the Monterey Formation, Hope Ranch
Beach, Santa Barbara County; photo
taken in 1984. This was a sudden
,

-
•
•
bedding·plane rock slide, a common
occurrence where the thin-bedded
MOnlerey Formation dips steeply
seaward.

Photo 11. Rotational slump. Santa

Barbara: photo taken in February 1978.
, Several houses were destroyed by this

.,
.-.'.'
",,~-u
•
,
..
. ..
--
slide which occurred aher a lew weeks
01 heavy rainfalt. The head scarp IS
about 20 feet high. Marine erOSion
undercut the cliff. The slide was probably
triggered by penetration 01 rainwater imo
cracks and joints near the chI! edge.

Other Faclors
"
Landslides can occur in dry or wet
materials. Movement may be slow. or it
may be rapid if it occurs along a con·
cealed bedding plane structure. There-
fore. landslides may involve larger
blocks of me sea cliff than are affected
by weathering processes and may cause
dramatic property damage (Photos 10
and 11).

People and animals also affect sea

cliff erosion. For example. foot trails
up steep cliffs result in increased ero-
sion; burrowing gophers and other ani-
mals can weaken soft rocks when the
burrows intersect cracks in dry soil.
Piping. the development of subterra-
nean channels which are rapidly en-
larged by water. may result.

MITIGATION

Prior to slope failure. property own-
ers often realize there is a problem and
seek an engineering solution. Because
an effective long-term solution is likely
to be very expensive. less expensive
protective measures. that only defer the
problem by slowing - not stopping -
the cliff retreat and erosion. are taken.
These half-way measures include revet-
ments constructed with large boulders
placed at the base of the cliff. gabions
(rock-filled baskets) stacked at the cliff
base. piling and other types of sea walls
(Photos 4-6). However. any barrier that
is not keyed into the bedrock at the cliff
base and is not continuous to the cliff
top. will eventually fail to provide any
protection to buildings and structures at
the cliff top. Even where the entire cliff
face is protected with a continuous
sheet of concrete, if it is not massive
and keyed into the bedrock at the base
of the cUff. failure Vlill occur within a
few years (Photos 12-15).
State and local government agencies
involved in zoning and building safety
usually do not approve construction of
sea walls and other protective structures
because these structures occupy beach
space. are usually unsightly. require con-
tinuing maintenance. and hinder beach
access. However. some type of protec-
tion is usually authorized once the prop-
eny owner is able to show building
damage is imminent.

CALIFORNIA GEOLOGY AUGUST 1990

 SUMMARY

1lIere is no simple engineering s0-

lution to save a diff-top building
threatened by erosion. Most remedial
measures that are affordable for an
individual property OIAIIler will only
reduce the rate or erosion. nol stop
it. In the long tenn. the same prob-
lems will occur again and ultimately it
will be necessary to condemn and
demolish the structure because diff
erosion is part of the on-going ge0-
logical process. Geologic conditions
and common sense suggest that it
would be less costly for both prop-
erty owners and taxpayers if a strip
several hundred feet wide landward of
all cliff lOps was carefully managed.
Photo 12. View 01 a cliff showing a porch projected out Irom a cliff-top house. Isla
Vista. Santa Barbara County. Photo was laken in 1971. Groul was sprayed onto the
cliH face to protect the cliff from wave erOSion. Pharo courtesy of Duke UnIVersity Press.

Photo 13. Same sea cliff and prOjectmg porch shown In Photo
12: photo taken in 1978. Wave erOSIon has atlacked the base
0' the grout covering. and drainage over the cliff edge has
eroded the upper ooges 01 the coaling. A covering at jute
sacking has been added at the cliff top (left of grout cover).
Photo courtesy of Duke Universiry Press.
Photo 14. Sea cliff and prOJectmg porch; photo taken tn 1980.
Only a remnanl of the concrete grout cover remains. held in place
by lhe porch support. The concrete covering reduced the tale 01
cliff relreat as shown by the slight seaward butge in the lower part
of the cliff. but il 'ailed 10 SlOP lhe erosion. Photo courtesy of
Duke University Press.

AUGUST 1990
'" CALIFORNIA GEOLOGY
 •

Photo 15. Same sea cIiH locatIOn shown In Photos 12-14; photo laken In 1987 In 1982, the portIon of the porch extending
oul Ollef the cliff was removed. Continued erOSion has caused the dillO relreal under the edge 01 the porch area. but some
seaward bulge In the eli'! is ShU evident.

REFERENCES
Griggs. Gary e., and savoy, laurel E., edl-
lors. 1985, living with the CaUforrwa
coast; Duke Umverslty Press, Dumam,
North Carolina. 393 p.
Noms. RObert M.• 1968. sea all retreat
near santa Barbara. California: Mineral
Information $ervk::e, v. 21. 00. 6,
p. 87-91,
Noms. Robel1 M.. 1985. Southern ~nla
Barbara County. Gaviola Beach 10 Rln·
con Point. Chapter 15 in Gnggs, G and
Savoy L. editors. LMng WIth the Cahlor-
rlla coast Duke UmVer5lry Press. Dur-
ham, North CarolIna. p. 250-278.
Pilkey. Omn H.. 1989, The engmeem'lg of
sand: Journal 01 Geological Education.
\/. 37. P 308-311
GLOSSARY
angle 01 repose "wumum a"lgle oj
slope al whICh loose malena! comes
to rest wllhoUl sliding,
colluvium: A loose mass 01 lalJen sot!
and redo; collected al the base 01 a
slope or chft.
llutlng: A venteaJ channellormed by
d,HerenbaJ weathenrog and erOSIOn
on me lace 01 a el,"
or rock surface.
sp"lng sapplng EroSlOl'l around a
seepage '" a ell" face, resulting In
retreat 01 the chff.

CAlIFOflNIA GEOlOOY AUGUST 1990 1n

 Lower Member Deposition,
HUNGRY VALLEY FORMATION
Los Angeles and Ventura Counties
Along strike-slip 'ault zones where
fault movement has stretched or pulled
apart an area. basins develop over geo-
logic lime inlo which sediments are
deposited. Investigating the sedimentary
history of such basins provides insight
into the tectonic activity and other geo-
logical aspects altha region. Ridge Basin
is one such basin thaI tormed between
the San Gabriel and San Andreas faull
zones near their juncture at Frazier
Mountain in southern California. This
basin has a thick. although relatillely nar-
row, down-dropped wedge 01 sedimentary
rock. The depositional history of this ba-
sin is recorded in its rocks. This article
describes a member of one sedimentary
rock Unll, the Hungry Valley Formation,
wIthin Ridge Basin ....editor.
INTRODUCTION
he sedimentary history of the
T Pliocene Hungry Valley Formation
chronicles the end of Ridge Basin de-
velopment. the commencement of
movement on the modern San An-
dreas fault. and the conclusion of
movement along the San Gabriel fault.
The area of this formation is at the
northern end of Ridge Basin. in the
central Transverse Ranges, Los Ange-
les and Ventura counties. California
(Figure L Photo I). The Hungry Val-
ley Formation is divided into three
units; (1) a lower member. (2) an up-
per member. and (3) a conglomerate
member (Crowell. 1982a).
The lower member represents
stream deposited fill. The upper mem-
ber and conglomerate member repre-
sent water deposited fill. All three
members were deposited in Ridge Ba-
sin which formed at the splintered Pa-
cific-North American plate margin
(Crowell and Link, 1982). Only the
'"
By
ROBERT D. LOEFFLER, Geologist
JEFFREY D. BENNETI, Geologist
Geological Audit Services
Yorba linda, California
~
TEJON PASS j .'.
N '.:'.
.........GORUAN
•
HUNGRY VALLEY
FORMATION
DRY CREEK
THRUST
llLOCK
RIDGE ROUTE AND
,. PEACE VALLEY FORMATlOtlS
"
LEGEtlD
- FAULT L~ES
~
TT TfiRUsr FAULT LUIES
.00 ••0
." ..
..
Figure 1. Location map showing generalized geology 01 the study area including the
Hungry Valley Formation (modified trom Ramirez. 1984).
depositional history of the lower mem- feet above the base of the formation
ber of the Hungry Valley Formation is (Crowell 1950. 1982a; Ramirez.
presented in this article. 1984). Magnetostratigraphy. the tech-
nique of measuring remnant magneti-
Age zation. was used to date the rocks that
contain the fossils. The fossils were
The Hungry Valley Formation is found to be between 5.5 to 5.0 million
considered Pliocene age based on ver- years before present (mybp) (Ensley
tebrate fossils and the rocks that con- and Verosub. 1982).
tain them. These fossils are called the
Kinsey Ranch fauna from the place Based on Ridge Basin sedimentation
where they were discovered and in- rates. the top of the Hungry Valley
clude fragments of horses teeth. and Formation is apparently 5.0 to 4.5
bones of tapir. rhinoceroses. camels. mybp (Crowell. 1982a). although the
and antelope. Kinsey Ranch fossils top of the formation could be as young
were discovered approximately 600 as 4.0 mybp (Ramirez. 1984).
CALIFORNIA GEOLOGY AUGUST 1990

Photo 1. Upper ponion of the lower member 01 the Hungry Valley Formation near the
lower member-upper member contact. Photos by Christina L. H. Loeffler.
RegIonal Geology
The Hungry Valley Formation is
truncated on the north by the modem,
active strand of the San Andreas fault
(Crowell, 1950. 1982a. 1982b:
Ramirez, 1983, 1984. 1987; FIgure
1). Rock types to the north of the for-
mation and the San Andreas fault zone
include Paleozoic (?) marble. quartzite.
and schist: the Cretaceous Tejon Look-
out Granite; the Miocene Neenach
Volcanics; and the Miocene undifferen-
tiated sedimentary Oso Lake and Oso
Canyon formations (Ramirez. 1984).
Gneiss·. migmatite", and quartz
monzonite" of probable Precambrian
age are exposed along the western
block of the San Gabriel fault zone and
in the upthrown block of the Frazier
Mountain thrust {Crowell. 1982bJ. In
this vicinity the western edge of the
Hungry Valley Formation overlaps the
San Gabriel fault and rests noncon-
formably· on the Precambrian base-
ment rocks. and conformably on the
Violin Breccia (Crowell. 1982b: Figure
I). The Violin Breccia is a Miocene
0.see Glossary. page 184
sedimentary uni~ which formed as
steep talus deposits; a result of uplih
along the San Gabriel fault zone
(Crowell and Link. 1982).
To the east and south, the Hungry
Valley Formation conformably overlies
the Ridge Route and Peace Valley for-
mations (Crowell. 1982b; Figure 1).
The Ridge Route and Peace Valley for-
mations are interfingered nonmarine
sedimentary units which were depos-
ited in Ridge Basin during the Mio-
cene. The Ridge Route Formation
consists of sandstone and conglomer-
ate beds which represent alluvial, flu-
vial. and shoreline deposits. The pre-
dominant rock types of the Peace Val-
ley Formation are lacustrine (or lake
deposited fill), siltstone, and mudstone
(Crowell and Link. 1982).
Pre-Tertiary quartz monzonite and
diorite of Liebre Mountain occur east
and northeast of the Hungry Valley
Formation (Figure 1). The northeast-
ern portion of the Hungry Valley For-
mation locally rests nonconformably
on the quartz monzonite and diorite
(Crowell, 1982b). Much of the forma-
tion in thIs area. however. has been
CAUFORNlA GEOlOOY AUGUST 1990
deformed by faulting, and was spread
and smeared along the Sandberg
thrust and the San Andreas fault.
LOWER MEMBER LITHOLOGY
The lower member of the Hungry
Valley Formation is the youngest.
thickest. and most laterally el<tensive of
the three formation units. It consists
predominantly of sandstone units but
also contains conglomerate units and
siltstone units. Lithofacies are map-
pable sedimentary features that are
based on physical characteristics and
reflect the conditions of rock origins.
The lithofacies code scheme for the
lower member is shown in Table 1 and
used in FIgure 2. This scheme aids in
distinguishing. describing, and inler-
preting the various rock types within
the lower member of the Hungry Val-
ley Formation (Miall. 1977. 1978).
Such code schemes are also used to
map lithologic characteristics to deline-
ate patterns of deposition.
Sandstones
Lower member sandstone rocks are
typically tan to buff in color and range
from very thick-beds to massive units.
Large-and small-scale trough cross-
beds occur In solitary and nested
strata. and are the most abundant sedi-
mentary structures in the sandstones
(labeled as Facies 5t in Table 1: Rgure
2; Photo 2). Planar cross-bedding
(Facies Sp) occurs in single sets and is
commonly capped by horizontal lami-
nations (Facies Sh). Erosional scours
are common between sandstone-
siltstone contacts (Facies Se).
The sandstone units are fine-grained
to very coarse-grained and contain fine
pebble- to small cobble-sized clasts.
Fining and coarsening upwards se-
quences of grain sizes are common.
Compositionally. the sandstones are
predominantly lithic arkoses·.
Conglomerales
Lower member conglomerate beds
typically occur in massively bedded
lenses·, stringers. or scour fills' (Facies
Gm: Figure 2: Photo 3). These beds
are commonly disorganized although a
preferred orientatIon is found in some
''''
 TABLE 1. LITHOFACIES SCHEME FOR LOWER MEMBER SEDIMENTARY UNITS (From Mlall. 1977. 1976).

Facies
Code lithofacies Sedimentary Structures Interpretations

Gm, massive. malrlx supported gravel none debris flow deposits

Gm massive or crudely bedded hOrizontal bedding. imbrication' longitUdinal bars. lag
deposits sieve depoSits
GI gravel, stratified trough cross-beds minor channel fills
Gp gravel, stratified planar cross-beds tongue-shaped bars or deltaic
growths from older bar remnants
SI sand, medium to very coarse. solitary or grouped trough cross·beds dunes (lower flow regime)
may be pebbly
Sp sand, medium to very coarse, solitary or grouped planar cross·beds tongue·shaped, transverse bars,
may be pebbly sand waves (lower flow regime)
S, sand, very fine to coarse ripple marks of aU types ripples (lower flow regime)
Sh sand, very line to very coarse hOrizontal lamination, parting or planar bed flow (lower and
may be pebbly streaming linealion upper flow regime)
SI sand, fine low angle «10 degrees) cross-beds scour fills, crevasse splays,
antldunes'
S. erOSional scours With clasts crude cross-beds scour fills
S, sand, line to coarse, may be broad. shallow scours Including scour Iill
pebbly cross-stratificatIon
Sse, Sne, sand analogous to Ss, Sh, Sp eolian depoSits
Sp.
F! sand, Silt. mud line lamination. very small ripples overbank or waning t100d
deposits

F" silt. mud laminated to massive backswamp depoSits

F" m,d massive, with fresh water molluscs backswamp pond deposits
Fm mud, silt massive, deSSicatIon cracks overbank or drape deposits
F, silt. mud rootlets seat earth'
C coal, carbonaceous mud plants. mud films swamp deposits
p carbonate pedogenIC feature soil

units. Lens and stringer thicknesses

range from 1 inch to 1.5 feet thick.
Scour fills are typically 1 to 2 feet
thick and 5 to 7 feet wide. Planar
conglomerate cross-beds (Facies Gp;
'. -'
Figure 2: Photo 3) are rare. Clasts in
the cross-beds show a preferred orien-
tation parallel to the roreset· beds.
Cross-bed sets range from 5 feet to 7
"":

-
feet In thickness. Foreset beds dip at
•
angles ranging from 10 degrees to 15
degrees.
",
II
Photo 2. Nested trough crOSS-bedding in ~
sandstone (Facies St) in the lower member
of Hungry Valley Formation,
')1 \,
'Se9 Glossary. page 184
••
180 CALIFORNIA GEOlOOV AUGUST 1990
 Gm
50
,
So

"Fm
Go

"Fm :. - s..--
,,
5p. Sh. Gp, am ,
:..... .~ .,~.

. -.-,
Fm
,
..
So
-
.-.~":- • -.
4
• 0;.

,-
....'

.- •-
"Gm '. -'

-
.~.
~r • •
"
Gm

So
"
So
Fm
51, 5p, Gm
Fm
gr
Figure 2. Stratigraphic column representa-
tive of the lower member 01 the Hungry
Valley Formation. Leller symbols to the
right of the column refer to lithofacies
described in Table 1.
Compositionally, conglomerate clast
types are predominantly plutonic.
metamorphic. and volcanic rocks.
Clast sizes generally range from very
fine pebbles to small cobbles with local
occurrences of large cobbles. Clast
roundness is typically subrounded to
rounded although subangular to angu-
lar quartzite clasts are nOI uncommon.
Statistical analyses of conglomerate
clasts in the lower member of the Hun-
gry Valley Formation are discussed in
the section titled MClasl Petrology and
M the "Donjek" system,
Paleocurrent Analysis below.
Siltstones
Lower member medium to very
thick-bedded massive siltstones are
typically red-brown to gray or green_
The massive siltstones commonly oc-
cur in large lenticular beds or are later-
ally continuous with little variation in
thickness (Facies Fm). These siltstones
commonly conclude a fining upwards
sequence. Typically, the siltstones con-
tain 1096 to 4096 disseminated sand.
Photo 3. Ma1nlt-supported conglomerate units occurring 10 lenses and scours
(FaCies Gm) in the lower member of the Hungry Valley Formation.
DEPOSITIONAL SETTING
The lower member of the Hungry
Valley Formation was deposited in a
river system with an interlacing net-
work of several branching and reunit-
ing channels. This type of river system
is characterized by moderate to high
sediment yield, moderate relief. and/or
seasonal discharge fluctuations (Mian,
1977).
From field evidence, the lower
member of the Hungry Valley Forma-
tion was deposited in a river system
that contained characteristics of two
model river systems used universally by
sedimentary petrologists to classify
river deposilional patterns: (I ) the
"South Saskatchewan" system. and (2)
Characteristic depositional features
of the South Saskatchewan·type river
system include the abundance of soli-
tary and nested trough cross·beds
(Facies St). The trough cross-bedding
represents in-channel sinuous-crested
dune deposits. Planar cross-bedding
(Facies Sp) represents migrating sand
dunes. Several facies sequences show
Facies St overlain by Facies Sp, and
Facies Sp is in turn overlain by Facies
Sh (horizontal lamination: Figure 2).
-.
This facies sequence is similar to sand
flat deposition in the South Sas-
katchewan River. Canada (Cant and
Walker, 1978), Lensoidal and thick-
bedded. laterally continuous massive
siltstones (Facies Fm) commonly com-
prise the upper portion of a fining
upwards sequence. The lensoidal beds
most likely represent channel aban·
donment while the thick-bedded later-
ally continuous beds are typical of
flood plain deposits (Cant 1978:
Collinson, 1986).
Features of Donjek-type deposition
include the lenses of conglomerate (Fa-
cies Gml. common in channel lag de-
posits' and conglomerate planar cross-
bedding (Facies Gp) representing
tongue-shaped bar deposits (Table 1).
A typical facies sequence in Donjek-
type river deposition is a lining up-
wards sequence from Facies Gm. Gp
to St. Sp to Fm. FI. and Sf. Similar se-
quences are uncommon but do occur
in the lower member of the Hungry
Valley Formation (Figure 2).
An idealized schematic block dia-
gram of bed forms and geomorphol-
ogy of the lower member 01 the Hun-
gry Valley Formation is depicted in
Figure 3.
'&:Ie Glossary, J;lage '84.

CALIFORNIA GEOlOGY AUGUST 1990

'"
 .. FlQure 3, SChematiC block dIagram of
braided Stream bed forms and geo-
morphology based on a South Sas·
katchewan-Donlek type depositIonal
model believed to be representattlle 01
the lower member 01 the Hungry Valley
FormatIOn. Arrows repfesent bed form
m'OratlOn directIOns. CCB _ cross
channel bars, LB • IlngUOld bars
(longue-shaped). SF • sand flats.
FP • flood plain

CLAST PETROlOGY AND
PALEOCURRENT ANALYSIS
Three clast counts of lower member
conglomerate clasls were made with
an average of 100 clasts in each
coon!. The analyses of these counts
indicate the conglomerate units in the
k>wer member are composed of 33%
to 48% plulonic. rock clasts. 31 % to
45% metamorphic rock clasts. 11 % to
21% volcanic rock clasts. and 0% to
1% sedimentary rock clasts crable 2).
The dominant clast Iypes are quartzite
and granite. Table 2 is included here
to Illustrate the wide diversity of clast
types In the lower member of Ihe Hun-
gry Valley Formation.
Paleocurrent data were measured
from channel axes and from trough
and planar cross-beds. Analysis of
these dala indicate Ihe flow direction
was from a south-southwest direction.
ORIGIN OF THE
HUNGRY VALLEY FORMATION
Lower Member
Angular to subangular shaped quartz-
Ite. marble. metamorphosed gabbro.
and anorthosite' claSIS ( Ramirez.
1984) suggest a probable short lTans-
pori history.
The Uule San Bernardino Moun-
tains are Ihe probable source along the
San Andreas fault of all four clast types
(Ramirez. 1983) The initial uplift re-
lated 10 the formation of the modem
Strand of San Andreas fault occurred
during the deposition of the lower
member of the Hungry Valley Forma-
tion (Ramirez. 1983. 1984), Ma}or
TABLE 2. CLAST ANALYSIS OF LOWER MEMBER CONGLOMERATE FROM THREE
SAMPLING RUNS.
Clast Composition
Sample 1
granite 11
quartz monzoMe I.
diorlle (Includes 13
quanz dlorlle and
granodiorite)
trandorm displacements in this region
occurred along the present strand of
the San Andreas fault beginning 5 mil-
lion to 6 million years ago {Crowell.
1982cl. These conclusions suggest
that denudation of the uplifting block
and subsequent erosion may have con-
lTibuted various clast types to the lower
member of the Hungry Valley Forma-
tion (Rgure 4). Continued uplift and
right lateral offset terminated deposi-
tion of the lower member of Ihe Hun-
gry Valley Formation approximately
5.0 mybp.
Clast Abundance
In Percentages
Sample 2 Sample 3
11 I.
• I.
12 5

Clast roundness in Ihe lower mem-

pegmatIte (includes
graphIC granite)
• 17

ber of Ihe Hungry Valley Formation

suggesls possible rSlNOrking of older
felsic gnetss
•• 5 3

",
augen gneiSS 7
conglomerate unUs. The source area
for Ihese units was from a north-north-
mylOnite
metavolcaniCS
•
3 1 ,
1

east source. indicating a south-soulh- quanzlte

•• '3 I.
I.• •
west flow direction. The source area marble 1
for these conglomerate units is now
displaced by the San Andreas faull.
rhyoille
daate (includes
•• 7
1
15
rhyodaCIte)
•• , 3
""
andesIte
Siltstone
• ••
1 1

". CALIFORNIA GEOlOGV AUGUST Ilil90


SAN ANDREAS
LOWER MEMBER
HUNGRY VALLEY
FORMATION~_-l'c
Figure 4. Regional block
diagram showing primary
source area and transport
medium ror sediments or the
lower member or the Hungry Valley Formation during the Pliocene Epoch.
Diagram restores 135 miles 01 right· lateral ollset along the San Andreas fault.
Upper Member
Upper member deposition is char-
acterized by alluvial sedimentation shed
from the unstable uplifted flanks of the
Little San Bernardino Mountains
(Ramirez. 1983.1984). The source ter-
rane of the upper member of the Hun-
gry Valley Formation also occurs in the
lillIe San Bernardino Mountains and
the Morongo Valley area. suggesting
135 miles of right-lateral offset along
the San Andreas fault since deposition
of the upper member (Ramirez. 1983.
1984. 1987).
These interpretations were based on
petrographic comparisons of marble
and quartzite clasts in the upper mem-
ber with those from the Uttle San Ber-
nardino Mountains (Ramirez. 1983.
1984).
Conglomerate Member
The conglomerate member is the
youngest member of the Hungry Valley
Formation. A possible source terrane
for unique olivine basalt clasts in the
conglomerate member of the Hungry
Valley Formation has also been identi-
fied (Ramirez. 1983. 1984) as occur-
ring in the Santa Ana drainage (sug-
gesting 110 miles of right-lateral offset
since deposition of this member).
, Crowell, J. C.. 1982a. Pliocene Hungry
RIDGE BASIN GROUP
CONCLUSIONS
The Pliocene lower member of the
Hungry Valley Formation represents
river sediment fill of Ridge Basin after
cessation of offset along the San Gab-
riel fault. This South Saskatchewan-
Donjek type of river system reworked
lower member conglomerate units lo-
cated north-northeast of lhe San An-
dreas fault. The modern strand of the
San Andreas fault formed pre- to syn-
deposilionally with the lower member
of the Hungry Valley Formation. Uplift
during the formation of the San An·
dreas fault is indicated by the occur-
rence of subangular to angular quartz-
ite. meta-gabbro. anorthosite. and
marble clasts possibly originating from
the Little San Bernardino Mountains.
The change from fluvial to alluvial
deposition in the upper member of the
Hungry Valley Formation indicates
massive uplift and erosion of the
upthrown block and the coincident
truncation of the sediment load from
the north.
REFERENCES
Cant, D. J.. 1978, Bed torms and bar types
in the South Saskatchewan River: Jour,
nal ot Sedimentary Petrology, v. 48. p.
1321·1330.
CALIfORNIA GEOLOGY AUGUST 1990
Cant, D. J" and Walker. R. G.. 1978. Flu-
vial processes and lacles sequences In
the sandy braided South Saskatchewan
River, Canada: Sedimentology, v. 25,
p. 625-648.
Collinson, J. D., 1986, Alluvial sediments:
in H. G. Reading. editor. Sedimentary
environments and facies. second edi-
tion: Blackwell Scientific Publications.
Oxford. p. 20·62.
Crowell. J. C.. 1950. Geology 01 the Hun·
gry Valley area, southern Calilornia:
American ASSOCiation ot Petroleum Ge·
ologists Bulletin, v. 34, p. 1623·1646.
Valley Formation. Ridge Basin, south-
ern Calilornia: In J. C. Crowell and M.
H. Link, editors. GeologiC history of
Ridge Basin. southern California: Pa·
cific Section. Society or Economic Pale-
onlologists and Mineralogists, Los An·
geles, p. 89·98.
Crowell, J. C., 1982b. GeologiC map or
Ridge Basin, southern Cahrornia: Pa-
cilic Section. Society or EconomiC Pale-
ontologists and Mineralogists, 2 sheels.
scale 1:24,000.
Crowell, J. C., 1982c, The teclonlcs or
Ridge BaSin, southern California: In
J. C. Crowell and M. H. Link. editors.
Geologic history 01 Ridge Basin. south-
ern California: Pacific Section. Society
o! EconomiC Paleontologists and Miner-
alogists. Los Angeles. p. 89-98.
Crowell. J.C" and Link M. H., editors,
1982, Geologic history of Ridge Basin,
southern Cahlornia: Pacific Section.
Society of Economic Paleontologists
and Mineralogists. Los Angeles. 304 p.
Ensley, R. A., and Verosub K L..1982,
Biostratigraphy and magnetostratigra·
phy of southern Ridge BaSin. central
Transverse Ranges. California: In J. C.
Crowell and M. H. Link, editors, Geo·
logic history of Ridge Basin, southern
Calitornia: Pacific Seclion, Sociely of
Economic Paleontologists and Miner·
aloglsts, Los Angeles. p. 89·98.
Miall, A.D., 1977, A review 01 the braided-
river depositional environment: Earth-
Sciences Reviews. v. 13. p. 1·62.
Miall, A. D., 1978, Lithofacies types and
verlical profile models in braided river
depoSits. a summary: in A. D. Mlall.
editor, Fluvial sedimentology: Canadian
Society of Petroleum Geologists. Mem-
oir 5, p. 597-604.
{continued ,I
'"

Ramirez, V. R., 1983, Hungry Valley
Formation: Evidence for 220 kilome-
ters 01 post Miocene ollset on the
San Andreas lault: in O. W. Ander-
son and M. J. Rymer, editors, Tec-
100lcs and sedimentation along
laults of San Andreas system: Pa-
aIlC SectIOn, SoCIety of EconomIC
PaleonlologlSts and MmeraJoglsts,
Los Angeles, p 33-44.
Ramirez, V. R., 1984, Geology of the
San Andreas faull at Tejon Pass,
CaMornla: Unpublished M. A Ihesis.
UmverSlly 01 Calilornia. Santa Bar-
bara, 256 p.
Ramirez, V. R.. 1987, 100rodl.lC11On to
the geology of lhe San Andreas fault
GLOSSARY
anortho.lte A plutOfllC rock With grealer
lhan go.,.-. plagioclase feldspar
antidune: A tranSient sand dune tormed
on a stream bed and travels up-
stream; charactenzed by erosion on
the downstream Slope and dePOSitIOn
on the upstream slope,
foreset: Sediments dePOSited on a
steep and advan<:lng frontal slope
gneiss: A fchated rock lormed by reo
glonal melamorptusm,
Imbrication: Overlapping clasts. such
as hies on a rool or scales on a bud,
lag depo.lt.: Coarse-grained matenal
that ts left behind alter currents have
WInnowed or washed away the Itner
matenal
15 commonly denved Irom Ihe diSInte-
gration of graOite or granitic rocks. A
lithic arltose conlams appreciable
rock fragments; specilically. a sand-
stone contalmng 10% to 50% hne-
grained rock fragments. 25"4 to 90%
feldspar, and 0% 10 65% quartz.
quartzite. and chen
mlgmlltite: A compoStte rock composed
01 Jgl'l8OUs-appearlng rocks, Jgneoos
rocks, and/or metamorphic rock.
nonconformity: SedlmeOlary rock that
rests on older Igneous or metamor-
phic rock
quartz monzonite: A plutol\lC rock Wllh
between 35% and 65% plag.oclase
I~spar and 20% to 60% quartz

at Telon Pass area, California; In M.
H Link. editor, Sedimentary faCIes,
tectoniC relations, and hydrocarbon
Significance in Ridge Basin, Calilor·
nla' Pacific Section, Society ot Eco-
nomIC Paleontologists and Mineralo-
gists. Los Angeles. p. 1-4
lans: sediment deposit resembling a
convex lens lhat IS IhlCk in the middle
and Ihlns at Ihe edges.
lithic arkose: An arltosa IS a feldspar·
rich sandstone composed 01 angular
to subangular grains that may be
poorly to moderately well sorted. and
.coyr till: A process of excavatIOn and
rer. Ing a channel with sediment
...t earth: A rock uM undertylng a coal
seam thaI supported the vegetation
from which lhe coal was formed Rep·
resents a paleosol (an old soil).

California Geology
Editor-In-Chief Retires
ary Caroline Woods, long-time Editor-in-ehief of
M CALIFORNIA GEOLOGY, retired on May 1. 1990,
Mary began her career with Ihe Division of Mines and
Geology (DMG) as a geologist at the Sacramento oUice in
March 1974. Her first job was 10 edit DMG bulletins,
special reports. and CALIFORNIA GEOLOGY magaZine.
She became Editor-In-Chief of the magazine in 1976.

After she received her geology degree from the Univer-

sity of Texas. Austin. Mary was hired by a Texas oil com-
pany 10 plot subsurface geologic data After taking some
time to raise three daughters. Mary continued her geologi-
cal career in 1963 as a groundwater geologist with the
U.S. Bureau of Reclamation unlil she accepted a geologist
position with the DMG.

She is a member of the Association of Engineering

Geologists. Geological Society of America. Association
of Earth Science Editors. National Association of Geology
Teachers. ASSOCiation of Women Geoscientists. and the
American Association of University Women,
Mary Carolme Woods, editor, author, and geologist
Mary shared her knowledge and experu5e wilh the many
Division editors and editorial assistants she Irained through
the years. She has written many articles for the magazine
and countless other articles have been enhanced by her
editorial skills Her characteristically hard-working, coone- Mary's future plans include travel to see the geology of the
oos manner. and wann smile have been inspirational world, Her many friends and colleagues wish her well ~

,. CAUFORN~GEOLOGY AUGUST 1990

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CALIFORNIA GEOLOGY
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'" CALIFORNIA GEOlOGY
 BOOK REVIEWS
Books reviewed in this section are not available lor purchase from OMG.

EOLOGY OF CALIFORNIA. Sec-

G ond Edition. By Robert M. Norris
and Robert W. Webb. 1990. John
Wiley & Sons. Inc .. 1 Wiley Drive,
Somerset. NJ 08875-1272. 541 p ..
$43.95. hard cover.

This edition includes over 100 more

pages than the first editlon. an ex~
panded glossary. and mOTe photos and
illustrations. This widely used college
geology lext is designed for anyone
wishing to learn more about the geol-
ogy of California. No previous training
in earth science is needed to under-
stand the concepts. The photos and
diagrams have been chosen to illus-
trate and instruct readers about geo-
logic features in this state.
Two introductory chapters familiar-
ize readers with basic geologic con-
cepts. The following chapters describe
the geology of each of California's 11 Northeastward vIew of the pinnacle-like Sutler BUlles. Often called the "smallest
geomorphic provinces; the San An- mountain range on Earth," the Bunes cover about 10 square miles and the highest
dreas fault and offshore geology are peak, South BUlle, IS 2,117 feet tall. The Buttes are plug domes With a core of
discussed in two separate chapters. andesite porphyry, and an outer f1ng of intrusive rhyolite. Meanders 01 the
Sacramento River are in loreground. Photo by John Burnell.

Four appendices acquaint readers

with technical words and terms. com-
mon minerals and rocks in California.
geologic time. and geologic theories
that pertain to California.
The landscape of California is the
culmination of a remarkable series of
natural events that began hundreds of
millions of years ago. The same
changes that occurred throughout
geologic time are occurring today. al-
beit at different rates than they have
in the past. Geologic processes that
appear to be unimpressively slow dur-
ing our lifetimes olten produce dra-
matic effects when viewed over mil-
lions of years. For example. slip on
the San Andreas fault averages about
2 inches per year but in a million
years this length adds up to 32 miles.
Another example is the tectonic uplift
Tufa pInnacles at the southwestern shoreline of the ancestral Searles lake. 55 miles of the Sierra Nevada. The Sierra Ne-
northeast of Mojave. Some pinnacles are 140 leet high and more than 500 teet In vada block is being uplifted by about
diameter at the base. These pinnacles were tormed by a combinallon of spontaneous 0.04 inches per year. and over the
precipitation of calcite near Iime·riCh springs and the Influence of lime'secrellng blue' past 3 million years it has been up-
green algae that lived in the lake during the Pleistocene Epoch. Photo by R M. Norris. lifted by about 10.000 feet.

AUGUST 1990
CALIFORNIA GEOLOOY
'"
 These examples illustrate that some
geologic phenomena are difficult to
appreciate because of their immense
and inconspicuous significance to our
daily lives.
During the 1960s evidenc.e collected
from the east Pacific sea floor off the
western coast of North America gave
scientists supporting data for Alfred
Wegener's 1910 theory of continental
drifl. In addition to the confirmation
of continental drift. since the 1960s
scientists have discovered paleomag-
netism. sea-floor spreading, exotic and
suspect terranes, and polar wandering.
These important concepts have had
far reaching effects about how we
understand the geology of California
and how this region has evolved
through geologic time. Improved in-
vestigative procedures enable earth sci-
entists to comprehend previously pUZ-
zling aspects of California's geology.

This photo shows an unusually well exposed syl'ldinalfold at

Rainbow Basin. San Bernardino County. For scale note the
geologIst walkmg on the hili top In upper nght 01 photo. These
rocks are among the best known and best displayed sequence
of non·manne Miocene strata In the MOlave Desert. More than
3.000 feet 01 lake. stream, and attuvlal fan sedIments that
formed 10,000.000 to 30,000,000 years ago are exposed in thIS
area located eight mites northwest of Barstow. Many 01 these
sedimentary units are colorful, a result 01 the mineral content In
the rocks. Some rock units in thiS area were mined for borate
and strontium minerals. Because of the well·displayed structural
geology in this area, il is a popular training area for geology
students.
These beds also contain rich fossil evidence of long-extinct
mammals and give insight into the paleoenvironmental
conditions that prevailed In this part 01 California during the
Miocene Epoch. Recovered fossilized remains include severat
species of early horses, two kinds oj camels. mastodon.
chahcotheres (mammals relaled to rhmos). pronghorn
antelope, peccaries. dogs, and various forms of cats such as
saber·tOOlhed cats. One of the strangest fossIls found here IS
the huge bear-dog, a gnzzly·bear-bke beast that had an 11-
loot·long stnde. Fossil evidence IndIcates thIS area had a
climate that was similar to that 01 northern MexICO today WIth
summer (alns. In recogmtlOn 01 rts umque geologIC Importance.
Rambow BaSIn IS a Registered Nabonal landmar1t; lossll
collecllng IS prOhltlited. Photo by R. IrA Noms.

Wave'cut bench in steeply-dipping shale of the Miocene age ~

Monterey Formation, near Gaviota. Santa Barbara County. For
scale note man standing on bench in upper middle 01 photo.
Photo by R.M. Norris.
(continued), , ,

". CALIFORNIA GEOLOGY AUGUST t990

 Book Reviews (continued)
Remote sensing, seismic diffraction
and reflection, atomic absorptlon spec-
trometry, electron microscopy, elec-
tron diffraction analysis. thermolu-
minescent dating. thermography. and
mass spectroscopy are Just a few of
the varied and intricate techniques
used to illuminate once enigmatic geo-
logic problems.
One on-going investigative aspect
of California geology concerns exten-
sional faulting. For many years flat-
lying faults have been recognized in
the eastern Mojave Desert. Basin and
Range. and Colorado Desert of Cali-
fornia. These faults were long inter-
preted to be thrust faults that had de-
veloped as a result of crustal shorten-
ing or compression. Although some
of these faults are still believed to have
been caused by this mechanism. evi-
dence from recent investigations indi-
cate that many of these flat-lying faults
were caused by crustal extension and
they merge at depth to form what is
called a "detachment zone." More-
over. these "detachment faults" rup-
tured or broke at the more brittle crus-
tal surface but become more elastic at
depth and respond to regional tectonic
forces by stretching and thinning along
the deep·seated detachment zone.
A folded. full-color geologic map of
California at a scale of 1:2.500,000 is
included with the book. This map de-
picts the regional exposures of rock
types and their ages throughout the
state. For example, granitic rocks of
Mesozoic age are delineated adjacent
to Paleozoic sedimentary and volcanic
age rocks. Geomorphic provinces are
shown along with major faults. rivers.
and lakes.
Paleontology
THE OTHER SIDE OF THE
MEDAL: A Paleobiologist Reflects on
the Art and Serendipity of Science.
1990. By Everell C. Olson. Available
from: McDonald & Woodward Publish-
ing Company. P.O. Box 10308.
Blacksburg. VA 24062-0308. 182 p.
$22.95. hard cover.
This is a personal account by Ever- Rock Hounding
ett C. Olson. a paleobiologist emeritus
GEM TRAILS OF CALIFORNIA.
at Ihe University of California. Los
Angeles. "Ole. as he is known to his
W
Third edition. By James R. Mitchell.
friends. spent many years investigating 1986. Available from: Gem Guides
Book Company, 3677 San Gabriel
the evolution of lower vertebrates from
the Permo-Carboniferous. the origin of River Parkway. Pico Rivera. CA,
mammals. taphonomy (the branch of 90660. 159 p. $5.95. soft cover.
paleoecology concerned with burial
Rockhounds will find directions to
processes that occur after the death of
93 collecting areas in California.
an organism). biogeography. and evo-
Jade. serpentine. rhodonite. jasper.
lution of fossil communities. Reflec-
agate. mariposite. petrified wood,
tions of his investigations are included.
quartz crystals. opals. chalcedony.
Over the span of his career. Ole
and psllomelane are among the min·
strengthened ties between paleontolo'
erals that can be found at the collect-
gists of the United States and the
ing sites. The sites are arranged geo-
Union of Soviet Socialist Republic.
graphically and each is accompanied
This book provides antidotes and in-
by a map: most site descriptions have
sights into the career of a respected
an accompanying photo.
paleobiologist.
,-----------------------------
MAIL ORDER FORM
Complele oddrfll.s form on nUl page
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poslage ond !oles tox
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BULLETINS
_ _ 8189 Mlnerols of Col,fornlo. 1966 .• .•. . . . .....••... S 7.00
_ _ B190G.ology of northern Coliforn'o.1966 ....... 510.00
SPECIAL REPOIHS
_ _ SR093 Eorly PI,o<:eneledimenlary hl!tory of .he Los Angeles Bosin,
Lo. Angeles ond Oronge counlles.1967 ....•..•......•...• S 1.25
_ _ 5R101 Geology of the Elysion Park.Repello H,lls oreo, Lo! Angele! County. 1970. 5 2.50
_ _ SR118 Son Andreos foult In southern Colifornoo. 1975. 1:750,000 Kole .•...•..•••.. 5 4.50
_ _ SR143 Pori 5 Mlnerollond c1osslficolion of lhe greoter Los Angeles oreo, clossificollon
of sand ond grovel re.ource orfICIs. 50ugu!-Newholl production·
conwmption r&glon ond Polmdole production·conlUf'l'lptlon region.
1987 (new) . . . • . .. . ..•..•.....••..••..•........••. S 8.00
_ _ SR146 Pori 2 Minerol lond c1oSSlfieollon: oggregole rnoteriols In lhe south
Son Fronc.Ko Bay oreO 1988 (new] ........•..•.....•...••.. . ..• S20.oo
_ _ SR146 Port 3 Minerollond clos.ifiColion: oggregote molerlols in the norlh
Son Froncisco·Monterey Boy oreo. 1988 (newl ...... S20.oo
_ _ SR156 Minerollond c101llficolion of portlond cemenl concrele-grode oggregote
I in the Socromento-Foirfield prodUclion·conwmphon region. 1987 (new) 518.00
I _ _ SR163 Surfoce ond groundwoter monagementln surfoce mined-lof\d redomotion.
1989 (new) ..... . .•..•••..•. 510,00
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I _ _ SP092 CALIFORNIA CEOlOGY mogoz.ine index 1948·1986. 1987 ._ ... 5 3.00
I _ _ SP093 M,nes ond mlnerol produce" octive in Colifornio during 1986. 1987 ... S '.00
I CALIFORNIA GEOLOGY
I _ _ 1yeor (12 isollfl') ..... S 10.00
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AUGUST 1990
CALIFORNIA GEOLOGY
'"
 · .. more Book Reviews

For each site the author provides Litehiser. 1989. Available from: Uni- into three categories; (I) past and fu-
informatlon on mineral and fossil va- versity of California Press. Berkeley. ture development of the seismological
rieties. site conditions. road conditions. CA 94720. 379 p. $48.00. hard observatory. (2) crustal tectonic move·
and land status. A few collecting sites cover. ment and the distribution of earth-
are privately owned and require en- quake foci. and (3) analysis and inter-
trance fees. The author cautions that This book commemorates the pretation of observatory data.
land status can change. Therefore 100th anniversary of the seismO"- In addition 10 providing an historical
each site should be checked locally be- graphic stations at the University of document of the seismographic sta-
lore visiting to make sure collectors California at Berkeley. the oldest con- tions' first 100 years. this volume
are still welcome. This information can tinuously operating stations in the serves as a compendium of current
be obtained at a local rock shop or the Western Hemisphere. A distinguished observatory practice and offers a
County Recorder's office group of fellows, staff. and friends of glimpse into the future of seismology.
the stations met on the Berkeley cam-
pus in May 1987 lor a symposium
Seismograph StaMns
honoring the occasion.
OBSERVATORY SEISMOLOGY. Twenty scholarly papers presented
An Anniversary Symposium on the at the symposium are gathered in this SollOfan DeSert Geology
Occasion of the Centennial of the Uni- book. which covers subjects of past. GEOLOGIC EXCURSIONS
versity of California at Berkeley Seis- present. and luture seismological inter- THROUGH THE SONORAN DES·
mographic Stations. Edited by J. est. The papers within this volume fall ERT REGION. ARIZONA AND SON·
ORA. Arizona Geological Survey
Special Paper 7. 1990. Edited by
----------------------------, George E. Gehrels and Jon E.
Spencer. Available from: Arizona
ADDRESS FORM FOR ALL ORDERS 1f-L Geological Survey. 845 N. Park
Please pnnl or lype V Ave .. 11100. Tucson. AZ 85719.
PAYMENT MUST BE INCLUDED WITH ORDER 202 p. $22.25 (includes shipping
NAME _ and handling charges) soft cover.
Make check or money order payable
ADDRESS _ to: Arizona Geological Survey.
CITY _
Geologic guides for 16 field trips
STATE ZIP _ conducted in association of the 861h
annual meeting of the Cordilleran
TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED: .$ _ Section of the Geological Society of
America (held in Tucson. Arizona
CALIFORNIA GEOLOGY SUBSCRIPTIONS during March 1990) are included in
this book. Recent geologic investiga-
o 1 yr. 510.00 o 2 yr. 520.00 (IndiVidual issues are 51.00 each) tions confirm that extensional tec-
tonic movement occurred in the
o NEW SUBSCRIPTION: Allow 60 days 10f delivery 01 lirsllssue.
Sonoran Desert during the geologic
o RENEWAL: To receive your magazine continuously. send In renewal 60 days belore past. Although some faults in this
eXpiratIon dale shown on your address label. (Example: EXP9012 means region are still believed to be true
that the subscnptlon expires on receipt of Decembef 1990 Issue.) Please
thrust faults. evidence of crustal ex-
enclose address label Irom past Issue.
tension accounts for many of the
CAUFORNIA GEOLOGV r~, only j,lIln Inlormat>On Ifom your......-.g '-beI« allael! a t.oel high-angle range-front faults and
ffom a pnl In... some low-angle flat-lying faults. High-
1.0.' _ EXPIA. DATE ACCT • _ angle normal faults that are curved
and flatten at depth are termed listric
o GIFT: (Gift card from _ faults. These faults also merge at
depth to form a detachment zone. In
o ADDRESS CHANGE: Send us an old address label and yoUf new address. such areas the crust above this zone
Allow 60 days lor address change. behaves independently from the crust
below. In an extensional regimen. the
Your order subscrlpllon cannOl be processed unless COrr\K:1 amounl IS rem'lled All Foreign and upper crust can rupture in a brittle
Canadian Ofders muSI be paid Wilt! an Inlemotlonal Money o.der or Drall payable In Unlled Slales manner in response to crustal
lundS Address ali orders 10 DIVISION OF MINES AND GEOLOGY. PO Box 2960. Sacramento.
stretching while the underlying crust
Cailler",a 95812·2960
can respond to crustal stretching by
----------------------------~ thinning. ~

"" CALIFORNIA GEOLOGY AUGUST 1990

A Page for Teachers
Resources for Earth Science Teachers
rofessional organizations that distribute materials about
P geology and related subjects for classroom use are in-
cluded in this list. The information that is available, such as
catalogs, publication lists, teacher packets. books, and jour-
nals, is described under each organizational listing. When
requesting free materials, use school stationery.
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF PETROLEUM GEOLO-
GISTS. P.O. Box 979. Tulsa. OK 74101. (918) 584-2555.
Geological Highway Mops. illuSlrated multicolored maps for
major highways in each region of the United States; infor-
mation printed on both sides of map. $5.00 each plus
$1.75 shipping and handling. A Manual for Technical
Presentations, a full-color guide to the preparation and
use of 35mm slides for effective presentations. $5.00.
AMERICAN GEOPHYSICAL UNION. Attention; Circula-
tion Department, 2000 Florida Avenue NW. Washington,
D.C. 20009. Geodesy, Geophysics, Oceanography. career
booklets. free. The Earth In Space. journal. 9 issues per
year (September-May). $10.00 per year. Scientific Event
Alerr Network (SEAN) Bulletin. a source of information
concerning meteoric. seismic, and volcanic activity world-
wkie (monthly). $18.00 per year.
AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF PROFESSIONAL GEOLO-
GISTS, 7828 Vance Drive, Suite 103. AlVada. CO 80003.
(3031431-0831. Ground Water: Issues and Answers. a
pamphlet on topics concerning ground water. $3.50 each
(50 copies or more. $2.25 each). Similar pamphlets are
also available for radioactive waste and hazardous waste.
FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
(FEMA). Earthquake Program. 500 C Street SW, Washing-
ton. D.C. 20472. Earthquakes: A Teacher's Package for
K-6. developed by the National Science Teachers Associa-
tion (NSTA) with grant from FEMA. This six-unit book is a
complete earthquake curriculum containing activities. lesson
plans. line master. and background information. One free
copy per school while supplies lasl. Additional copies may
be purchased from NSTA (see address below).
GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA (GSA), 3300
Penrose Place. P.O. Box 9140. Boulder. CO 80301. (303)
447-2020; (800)472-1988. Geological Publications Cata-
log. free. Future Employment Opportunities In the Geo·
logical Sclellces. free pamphlet. The Earth Has A History,
a 20-minute program on geologic time. The concept of
geologic time is explained by "walking the viewer through
time" in the Rocky Mountain Front Range near Boulder.
Colorado. VHS cassette. $25.00: 16mm film. $200.00.
CAUFOANIA GEOLOGY
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF GEOLOGY TEACHERS
(NAGn. P.O. Box 368. Lawrence. KS 66044, (913) 843-
1234. NAGT sponsors regional meetings with field trips
and workshops. The annual meeting is held in conjunction
with the Geological Society of America annual meeting.
NAGT membership. $20.00. Journal of Geological
Education. source of information, ideas. and reviews for
high school and and college teachers: five issues per year
with membership. ActivllY Source Book For Earth
&iellce, $7.99 to members.
NATIONAL EARTH SCIENCE TEACHERS ASSOCIA-
TION (NESTA). Publications/Sales; Art Weinle. 733 Lo-
raine, Grosse Point. MI48230-1235. (313) 882-2569.
NESTA meets in conjunction with the National Science
Teachers Association (NSTA). National meeting includes
workshops. Share-A-Thon. and Rock Raffle. NESTA mem-
bership is $10.00. includes quarterly newsletter. Slide Sets.
wide variety of subjects for upper elementary through intro-
ductory college levels: free brochure. Nesta Computer Pro-
gram. Coordinator: Dee E. Drake. Huron High School.
Ann Arbor. Ml 48104. (313) 665-7964. Public domain
software, 3 disks containing 5 to 6 programs each. with
tutorial and demonstration. Single disk. $2.00 plus $1.00
shipping and handling: 3 disks. $7.00.
NATIONAL SCIENCE TEACHERS ASSOCIATION
(NSTA). 1742 Connecticut Avenue NW. Washington. D.C.
20009. (202) 328-5800. NSTA sponsors regional and na·
tional conventions and produces a wide variety of publica-
tions. Membership is $35.00 per year: includes subscription
to &/ence and Children. designed for the elementary
school teacher. Science Scope. designed for the middle
school/junior high schoolteacher. is $15.00 per year. Sup-
plement to &ience Education Suppliers. an annual list of
suppliers' names. addresses. and telephone numbers for
materials in all sciences: free to members.
NATURESCOPE, National Wildlife Federation. 1400
16th Street NW, Washington. D.C. 20036. Digging fnto
DIllosaurs, Geology-The Active Earth. Astronomy
Adventures, and Wild About Weather. a series of activity
gUides dealing with natural science topics. Materials include
background information. activities. master worksheets to du-
plicate for students. and additional sources of information.
Write for free brochure.
U.S. Geological Survey. Geological Inquiries Group.
907 National Center, Reston. VA 22092. (702) 648-4383.
Teacher Packet of Geological Materials. pamphlets and
information sheets. and how to order topographic. geo-
logic. and special interest maps. Free; send request on
school stationery and specify grade level.. .. Compiled by
American Geologico/Institute. National Center for Earlh
&ience Education. 4220 King Street, Alexandria, VA
22302. (703) 379·2480; (800) 336·4 746. ~
AUGUST 1990 ,g,
 SlAte Of CAlifORNIA SECOND ClASS POSTAGE PAID
lHE RESOURCES AGENCY AT SACRAMENTO, CAltfORNIA
DEPAR1MENl Of CONSERVAliON
CAliFORNIA GEOLOGY
DIVISION OF
MINES AND GEOlOGY
POBOX 2980
SACRAMENlO, CALIFORNIA 9.5812·0131

USPS 3S0 840

AOORESS COUEcnON REOUEStED

... l:

r. Adolf Pabst. an expert on rare minerals and a pro-

D fessor emeritus at the University of California in
Berkeley. died April 3. 1990 in Berkeley. He was 90. Pro-
MEMORIAL
fessor Pabst was a graduate of the University of Illinois and
received his doctorate from the University of California,
Berkeley in 1928. He joined the facuhy at V.C. Berkeley
upon graduation and taught mineralogy there for 40 years.

Thousands of students were first exposed to the mysteries

of mineralogy and crystallography in Pabst's laboratory in
the basement of Bacon Hall on ihe V.C. Berkeley campus.
They will always remember the professor's painstaking con-
cern that every detail in his lectures be exactly understood.
Dr. Pabst gave meticulous descriptions of even the most or-
dinary properties of minerals and crystal systems. To his
students. Adolf Pabst epitomized the dedicated Mold school"
teaching method of rigorously and precisely applying the
scientific method.

Pabst's work was recognized internationally and he was

frequently invited to universities throughout the United
States and Europe as a guest speaker. He was a member of
numerous professional and honorary mineralogical societies
and held office in many of the organizations. [n 1965 he
received the Roebling Medal awarded by the Mineralogical
Society of America in recognition of his meritorious contri-
butions to the science of mineralogy. This internationally
recognized award is the most prestigious tribute given to
American mineralogists.

In acknowledgment of his work. the mineral pabstite was

first described and named for him in 1965. Pabslite-a bar-
ium tin titanium silicate-was discovered in Santa Cruz
County and is the tin analogue of benitoite. California's
official gemstone. After retiring from the University in 1967.
Pabst continued lecturing and conducting mineralogy and
x-ray crystallography research there as professor emeritus.
In 1974 he was awarded the distinguished Friedrich Becke Adolf Pabst. 1899-1990
Medal by the Austrian Mineralogical Society. Pabst's scien- Photo courtesy of V.C. Berkeley.
tific publications include more than 90 papers and many
articles. ~

", CALIFORNIA GEOlOGY AUGUST 1990