The south San Fernando Valley fault, Los Angeles California: Myth or reality
- Slosson and Associates, Van Nuys, CA (United States)
Based on related geomorphic and hydrogeologic evidence, the authors have identified the probable existence of a fault system and related Riedel faults along the southerly side of the San Fernando Valley (SFV), Los Angeles, CA. This fault system, which appears to be aligned along a series of pressure ridges, artesian springs and warm water wells, is termed the South SFV Fault for the purpose of this study. The trace of this fault is believed to roughly follow the southern extent of the SFV near the northern base of the east-west trending Santa Monica Mountains. The SFV is a fault-affected synclinal structure bounded on the north, east, and west by well-recognized and documented fault systems. The southern boundary of the SFV is defined by the complexly faulted anticlinal structure of the bordering Santa Monica Mountains. This presentation will suggest that the southern boundary of the SFV (syncline) is controlled by faulting similar to the fault-controlled north, east, and west boundaries. The authors believe that the trace of the fault system in the southeastern portion of the SFV has been somewhat modified and concealed by the erosion and deposition of coarse grained sediments derived from the vast granitic-metamorphic complex of the San Gabriel Mountains to the north, the major watershed, and in part by sediment derived from similar rock type to the east and southeast. The western half of the SFV has been largely filled with fine grained sediments derived from erosion of the surrounding sedimentary uplands. Further modification has occurred due to urbanization of the area. With reference to the fault-affected boundaries on the west, north, and east sides of the SFV, these structures are all considered youthfall and capable of producing earthquakes as the SFF did in 1971. The south-bounding fault may fall within a similar category. Accordingly, the authors believe that the proposed South SFV Fault has been a tectonic feature since the Pliocene epoch.
- OSTI ID:
- 5125958
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9305259-; CODEN: GAAPBC
- Journal Information:
- Geological Society of America, Abstracts with Programs; (United States), Vol. 25:5; Conference: 89. annual meeting of the Cordilleran Section and the 46th annual meeting of the Rocky Mountain Section of the Geological Society of America (GSA), Reno, NV (United States), 19-21 May 1993; ISSN 0016-7592
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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