Cretaceous sinistral strike slip along Nacimiento fault in Coastal California

Journal Article · Fri Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1983 · Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol., Bull.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6931967

Dickinson, W R

The San Andreas and Nacimiento faults of coastal California both separate granitic and metamorphic basement rocks of the Salinian block from partly coeval but contrasting Mesozoic terranes underlain by the Franciscan subduction complex. By analogy with Neogene dextral strike slip along the San Andreas fault, Cretaceous sinistral strike slip can be inferred along the Nacimiento fault in preference to hypotheses for tectonic erosion during subduction or for dextral strike slip of unspecified amount. The similar Mesozoic terranes that now lie east and west of the Salinian block were then adjacent to one another west of the Sierra Nevada block. Available paleomagnetic data neither support nor preclude the reconstruction, but additional work together with future detailed lithotectonic comparisons potentially can confirm or refute the hypothesis it represents. A correct interpretation of the Nacimiento fault is important for understanding the overall tectonic framework of petroliferous basins both onshore and offshore in coastal California.

• Research Organization: Dept of Geosciences, Univ. of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
• OSTI ID: 6931967
• Journal Information: Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol., Bull.; (United States), Journal Name: Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol., Bull.; (United States) Vol. 67:4; ISSN AAPGB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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CRETACEOUS PERIOD
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FEDERAL REGION IX
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