Quaternary Fault Structure of the Bishop Region, East-Central California

Bishop Region, Zurich Formation, Bishop Formation, Sierra Nevada, Inyo Mountains, White Mountains, Owens Valley

Taylor, George Frederic ; Buwalda, John P.

University:California Institute of Technology

Department:Geological and Planetary Sciences

关键词: Bishop Region, Zurich Formation, Bishop Formation, Sierra Nevada, Inyo Mountains, White Mountains, Owens Valley;   

Others  :  https://thesis.library.caltech.edu/10300/6/Taylor_GF_1933.pdf

美国|英语

来源: Caltech THESIS

【 摘 要 】

This paper presents the results of an investigation carriedon during 1932 of the Quaternary geologic structure and stratigraphyof the Bishop Region, eastern California. Close relationship ofstructural and stratigraphic, data has resulted in the formulation ofa rather complete outline of the later geologic history of the region.

Contributions to the stratigraphy of the area include theestablishing of the Zurich formation to embrace Pleistocne "lakebeds" and fanglomerate. Both the tuff-breccia and pumiceous brecciaof the Volcanic Tableland are grouped as the "Bishop formation".The Zurich formation is shown to be at least partly contemporaneouswith the Bishop formation.

The piedmont faults of the region have been accurately locatedby numerous recently formed scarplets. A very noticeable offsetin the Sierran base southwest of Bishop is described and termed theBishop Offset. The type of sloping surface lying between twofaults which diminish their throws in opposite directions, as present in the Bishop Offset, is described as a newly recognizedgeomorphic form and named a "Scarpramp".

The Sierra Nevada is believed to have been uplifted a considerable amount since the Inyo-White Mountain Range attained approximatelyits present elevation. The effect of this recent uplifton the climate of Owens Valley is discussed.

Deep Spring Valley and Cowhorn Valley are shown to be similarfault outlined features, each the result of the dropping downof a lozenge shaped block in the interior of the range along normalfaults. The east wall of Deep Spring Valley was formed considerablymore recently than the west side.

The Sierran piedmont fault zone is generally narrow butbecomes distributive at some localities.