Chronology of Miocene–Pliocene deposits at Split Mountain Gorge, Southern California: A record of regional tectonics and Colorado River evolution

Abstract

Research Article| January 01, 2007 Chronology of Miocene–Pliocene deposits at Split Mountain Gorge, Southern California: A record of regional tectonics and Colorado River evolution Rebecca J. Dorsey; Rebecca J. Dorsey 1Department of Geological Sciences, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon 97403-1272, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Amy Fluette; Amy Fluette 2Department of Geology (ES 236), 516 High Street, Western Washington University, Bellingham, Washington 98225-9080, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Kristin McDougall; Kristin McDougall 3Flagstaff Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey, 2255 North Gemini Drive, Flagstaff, Arizona 86001, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Bernard A. Housen; Bernard A. Housen 4Department of Geology (ES 236), 516 High Street, Western Washington University, Bellingham, Washington 98225-9080, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Susanne U. Janecke; Susanne U. Janecke 5Department of Geology, 4505 Old Main Hall, Utah State University, Logan, Utah 84322-4505, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Gary J. Axen; Gary J. Axen 6Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, Socorro, New Mexico 87801, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Catherine R. Shirvell Catherine R. Shirvell 7Department of Earth & Space Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095-1567, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Geology (2007) 35 (1): 57–60. https://doi.org/10.1130/G23139A.1 Article history received: 16 Jul 2006 rev-recd: 16 Aug 2006 accepted: 28 Aug 2006 first online: 09 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 Rebecca J. Dorsey, Amy Fluette, Kristin McDougall, Bernard A. Housen, Susanne U. Janecke, Gary J. Axen, Catherine R. Shirvell; Chronology of Miocene–Pliocene deposits at Split Mountain Gorge, Southern California: A record of regional tectonics and Colorado River evolution. Geology 2007;; 35 (1): 57–60. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G23139A.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 Late Miocene to early Pliocene deposits at Split Mountain Gorge, California, preserve a record of basinal response to changes in regional tectonics, paleogeography, and evolution of the Colorado River. The base of the Elephant Trees Formation, magnetostratigraphically dated as 8.1 ± 0.4 Ma, provides the earliest well-dated record of extension in the southwestern Salton Trough. The oldest marine sediments are ca. 6.3 Ma. The nearly synchronous timing of marine incursion in the Salton Trough and northern Gulf of California region supports a model for localization of Pacific–North America plate motion in the Gulf ca. 6 Ma. The first appearance of Colorado River sand at the Miocene-Pliocene boundary (5.33 Ma) suggests rapid propagation of the river to the Salton Trough, and supports a lake-spillover hypothesis for initiation of the lower Colorado River. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.