14: Transverse Ranges
- Page ID
- 20348
\( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \)
\( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)
\( \newcommand{\dsum}{\displaystyle\sum\limits} \)
\( \newcommand{\dint}{\displaystyle\int\limits} \)
\( \newcommand{\dlim}{\displaystyle\lim\limits} \)
\( \newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)
( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\)
\( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\)
\( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\)
\( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\)
\( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)
\( \newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\)
\( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)
\( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\)
\( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\)
\( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\)
\( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\)
\( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\)
\( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\)
\( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\)
\( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\AA}{\unicode[.8,0]{x212B}}\)
\( \newcommand{\vectorA}[1]{\vec{#1}} % arrow\)
\( \newcommand{\vectorAt}[1]{\vec{\text{#1}}} % arrow\)
\( \newcommand{\vectorB}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \)
\( \newcommand{\vectorC}[1]{\textbf{#1}} \)
\( \newcommand{\vectorD}[1]{\overrightarrow{#1}} \)
\( \newcommand{\vectorDt}[1]{\overrightarrow{\text{#1}}} \)
\( \newcommand{\vectE}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash{\mathbf {#1}}}} \)
\( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \)
\( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)
\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)Introduction to the Transverse Ranges
The Transverse Ranges Province is a geologically diverse region with a complex geologic history. Much of the early geologic evolution of this region can be correlated to that of other geomorphic provinces in California. However, this province is also somewhat of an anomaly when compared to others across the state of California: as the name suggests, the mountains, valleys, and faults within the Transverse Ranges Province are oriented east-west, transverse to the dominant north-south trends seen elsewhere in California and western North America overall. How did this region come to be oriented in such a different way compared to surrounding regions? How have the dramatic changes to the California plate boundary over the late Cenozoic impacted this region?
This chapter will present a general overview of the region that will allow for comparison to other provinces and will direct you to the relevant chapters for more information. Our focus here will be on the Late Cenozoic geology of the region impacted by the emerging San Andreas fault system. We’ll see that this period produced dramatic structural rotation and translation of large crustal blocks along with the development of deep structural basins that are a major source of oil and gas. Modern transpression across this region that is accommodated by reverse and strike-slip faults continues to shape the landscape, producing unusually steep relief that is subject to landslides, as well as active seismic risk that impacts millions of Californians.
Note that the evolution of this region is closely related to the northern Peninsular Ranges Province (including the offshore Borderlands Region). This is particularly notable in the case of the Los Angeles Basin, which is located to the south of the Transverse Ranges Province. Because of the similarities, we’ll be discussing the Los Angeles basin and the offshore northern borderlands region in this chapter even though they aren’t strictly part of this province.
By the end of this chapter, you should be able to:
- Locate the Transverse Ranges Province and its major elements (mountain ranges, faults and key geologic features) on a geologic map of the state.
- Explain how the modern physiographic features found within the Transverse Ranges are produced by Late Cenozoic tectonism.
- Describe the primary bedrock geologic characteristics of the Transverse Ranges province.
- Recall the general geologic evolution of the Transverse Ranges Province in the context of the evolution of California.
- Explain the origin and current location of petroleum reserves within the Transverse Ranges Province.
- Assess the geologic hazards and risks associated with the Transverse Ranges Province.
- 14.1: Physiographic Overview of the Transverse Ranges Province
- This page describes the Transverse Ranges Province in California, characterized by its east-west mountains near the San Andreas Fault. It highlights notable ranges like San Bernardino and San Gabriel, which are popular for recreation, and mentions sedimentary basins like the Los Angeles Basin, known for their geological significance and oil deposits, evidenced by extensive drilling infrastructure.
- 14.2: Bedrock Geology of the Transverse Ranges Province
- This page reviews the geology of the Transverse Ranges, focusing on significant features such as the San Andreas and San Gabriel Faults. It highlights Proterozoic and Mesozoic rock formations, including unique anorthosite complexes and Pelona Schist, indicative of regional geological processes.
- 14.3: Cenozoic Sedimentation and Basin Development
- This page outlines the Cenozoic geology of the Transverse Ranges Province, detailing the tectonic activity along the North American-Pacific plate boundary that led to the formation of significant basins like Ventura and Los Angeles. It emphasizes the Ventura Basin's rich sedimentary record and the diverse geology of the Soledad Basin, particularly the Vasquez Formation.
- 14.4: Tectonic and Structural Evolution of the Transverse Ranges
- This page covers the geological evolution and processes of the Transverse Ranges Province and San Bernardino Mountains, detailing the transition from a Mesozoic subduction zone to a present-day transpressional environment with associated tectonic uplift and denudation. It highlights varying denudation rates influenced by topography and evolving landscapes due to orogenic forces, emphasizing distinctions between regions within the mountains.
- 14.5: Geologic Hazards of the Transverse Ranges Province
- This page details significant geological hazards in California's Transverse Ranges, particularly focusing on seismic activity and flood risks. It highlights notable earthquakes like the 1971 San Fernando and the 1994 Northridge events, their consequences, and state responses, including stricter building codes. It also recounts the 1928 Saint Francis Dam disaster and the resulting legislative changes for dam safety.
- 14.6: Mineral and Petroleum Resources of the Transverse Ranges Province
- This page describes the Transverse Ranges Province, highlighting its significant oil and gas production resulting from geological features like transpressional folding and faulting. Major oil fields, such as the Wilmington Field, play a crucial role in U.S. output. The La Brea Tar Pits are noted for their fossil preservation.
- 14.7: Chapter Summary
- A summary of the Transverse Ranges chapter.
- 14.8: Detailed Figure Descriptions
- Descriptions of complex images within this chapter, for users who have difficulty seeing and interpreting images.
Thumbnail: "Transverse Ranges Province" is licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0 by Allison Jones.