Cenozoic tectonic and topographic evolution of the northern Sierra Nevada, California, through stable isotope paleoaltimetry in volcanic glass

Research Article| June 01, 2009 Cenozoic tectonic and topographic evolution of the northern Sierra Nevada, California, through stable isotope paleoaltimetry in volcanic glass Elizabeth J. Cassel; Elizabeth J. Cassel 1Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Stephan A. Graham; Stephan A. Graham 1Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar C. Page Chamberlain C. Page Chamberlain 2Department of Environmental Earth System Science, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Geology (2009) 37 (6): 547–550. https://doi.org/10.1130/G25572A.1 Article history received: 20 Oct 2008 rev-recd: 02 Feb 2009 accepted: 07 Feb 2009 first online: 02 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Elizabeth J. Cassel, Stephan A. Graham, C. Page Chamberlain; Cenozoic tectonic and topographic evolution of the northern Sierra Nevada, California, through stable isotope paleoaltimetry in volcanic glass. Geology 2009;; 37 (6): 547–550. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G25572A.1 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract We determine the paleoelevation of the northern Sierra Nevada (California) in the Oligocene based on hydrogen stable isotope compositions of meteoric water preserved within volcanic glass from ignimbrites sampled across the range. A 48‰ decrease in the isotopic composition of hydrated glass from ignimbrites located near paleo-sea level to ignimbrites 100 km to the east reflects the effect of ancient high topography on precipitation. These data show that 31–28 Ma ago, the northern Sierra Nevada had a steep western gradient and elevations similar to the present. This study, placed in the context of other paleoaltimetry studies, suggests that the range was a high topographic feature throughout the Cenozoic and that the majority of uplift occurred in the Late Cretaceous to early Cenozoic, much earlier than some studies have proposed. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.