Plate tectonics and the Gulf of California region

Journal Article · Thu Nov 01 00:00:00 EST 1990 · California Geology (California Division of Mines and Geology); (USA)

OSTI ID:5667663

Schmidt, N

The geology and tectonism of California have been influenced greatly by the collision and interaction between the Pacific plate and the North American plate. The forces generated by this interaction caused substantial horizontal movement along the San Andreas fault system and created the Gulf of California rift zone. This article summarizes the unique features of the gulf, describes the theory of plate tectonics, explains how tectonism may have affected the geologic evolution and physiography of the gulf, and illustrates the process by which the Colorado River became linked to the gulf.

• OSTI ID: 5667663
• Journal Information: California Geology (California Division of Mines and Geology); (USA), Vol. 43:11; ISSN 0026-4555
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

58 GEOSCIENCES
GULF OF CALIFORNIA
PLATE TECTONICS
AMBIENT TEMPERATURE
COLORADO RIVER
GEOLOGIC FAULTS
GEOLOGIC HISTORY
GEOLOGY
GEOMORPHOLOGY
RIFT ZONES
ROCK MECHANICS
SALINITY
GEOLOGIC FRACTURES
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
MECHANICS
PACIFIC OCEAN
RIVERS
SEAS
STREAMS
SURFACE WATERS
TECTONICS
580000* - Geosciences