Geometric model for Neogene crustal rotations in southern California

Research Article| April 01, 1980 Geometric model for Neogene crustal rotations in southern California BRUCE P. LUYENDYK; BRUCE P. LUYENDYK 1Department of Geological Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar MARC J. KAMERLING; MARC J. KAMERLING 1Department of Geological Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar RICHARD TERRES RICHARD TERRES 1Department of Geological Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar GSA Bulletin (1980) 91 (4): 211–217. https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1980)91<211:GMFNCR>2.0.CO;2 Article history first online: 01 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation BRUCE P. LUYENDYK, MARC J. KAMERLING, RICHARD TERRES; Geometric model for Neogene crustal rotations in southern California. GSA Bulletin 1980;; 91 (4): 211–217. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1980)91<211:GMFNCR>2.0.CO;2 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 SocietyGSA Bulletin Search Advanced Search Abstract Paleomagnetic data from mainly Miocene igneous rocks in southern California suggest that large crustal regions have undergone clockwise rotation during that time. We propose a model whereby many crustal blocks presently bounded on the north and south by east-west—trending sinistral faults have undergone rotations of about 70° to 80° within the Pacific-American right-lateral shear couple. The data suggest that these crustal blocks include the western Transverse Ranges and parts of the offshore Borderland. Our model predicts that the eastern Transverse Ranges, the central Mojave Desert, and the Tehachapi Mountains region have also rotated. The rotated blocks are nested between blocks bounded by northwest-southeast—trending dextral faults. The rotations probably ceased in late Miocene time when the San Andreas fault system broke through southern California and may have begun when the Pacific plate contacted the North American plate in late Oligocene time. This geometric model for rotated blocks predicts that left-slip, right-slip, and rotation occur simultaneously; that the displacements can be calculated from the rotation (and vice versa); and that during the rotation, deep triangular basins open at the join between the rotated and unrotated blocks. It also suggests that dextral slip can occur on northwest-southeast faults without cutting the Transverse Ranges. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.