Case for northward transport of Baja and coastal southern California: Paleomagnetic data, analysis, and alternatives

Journal Article · Wed May 01 00:00:00 EDT 1991 · Geology; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1991)019<0506:CFNTOB>2.3.CO;2· OSTI ID:5470333

Beck, Jr, M E ^[1]

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1. Western Washington Univ., Bellingham (USA)

This paper reviews Cretaceous paleomagnetic evidence for Baja and coastal southern California as a whole, results from Baja and southern California require transport of 1,000 km or more, relative to interior North America. Agreement between independent results, for different rock types and experimental techniques is overwhelming. Dextral shear driven by right-oblique subduction readily accounts for the paleomagnetic results. Alternative explanations such as experimental errors, rock-magnetic effects, anomalous geomagnetic behavior, errors in dating, or local structure are inadequate, improbable, or both. Some geologists have difficulty reconciling the findings of paleomagnetism with their own results; hence, as emphasized by Gastil, a conflict and enigma exist. To resolve them will require a willingness on both sides to honestly scrutinize basic assumptions.

• OSTI ID: 5470333
• Journal Information: Geology; (USA), Vol. 19:5; ISSN 0091-7613
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

58 GEOSCIENCES
CALIFORNIA
GEOLOGIC FORMATIONS
PALEOMAGNETISM
COASTAL REGIONS
CONSTRAINTS
CRETACEOUS PERIOD
DATA ANALYSIS
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
GEOMAGNETIC COORDINATES
SUBDUCTION ZONES
TECTONICS
COORDINATES
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
FEDERAL REGION IX
GEOLOGIC AGES
MAGNETISM
MASS TRANSFER
MESOZOIC ERA
NORTH AMERICA
USA
580000* - Geosciences