Is there a Oaxaca-California megashear Conflict between paleomagnetic data and other elements of geology

Journal Article · Wed May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1991 · Geology; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1991)019<0502:ITAOCM>2.3.CO;2· OSTI ID:5470337

Gastil, G ^[1]

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1. San Diego State Univ., CA (USA)

After two decades, paleomagnetic study of Cretaceous plutonic, volcanic, and sedimentary rocks consistently shows that both the continental borderland and the batholithic terrane of peninsular California have moved north 14{degree} {plus minus} 5{degree} and rotated 25{degree} to 40{degree} clockwise between the end of the Cretaceous and the end of the Paleocene. A variety of geologic data across the borderland-batholith boundary, with the peninsula, across the Gulf of California, and within the State of Sonora, Mexico, appear to preclude the existence of a megashear along which peninsular California could have traveled northward. Lacking an acceptable scenario for moving the rocks from their proposed position of magnetization to their present position, the data of paleomagnetism and other elements of geology are in direct conflict. The resolution of this enigma will require an important revision of current assumptions.

• OSTI ID: 5470337
• Journal Information: Geology; (USA), Journal Name: Geology; (USA) Vol. 19:5; ISSN GLGYB; ISSN 0091-7613
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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58 GEOSCIENCES
580000* -- Geosciences
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CRETACEOUS PERIOD
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ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
FEDERAL REGION IX
GEOLOGIC AGES
GEOLOGIC FORMATIONS
GEOLOGY
GEOMAGNETIC COORDINATES
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IGNEOUS ROCKS
LATIN AMERICA
MAGNETISM
MASS TRANSFER
MESOZOIC ERA
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PLUTONIC ROCKS
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SEAS
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
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VOLCANIC ROCKS