Mesozoic metasedimentary framework and gabbroids of the Early Cretaceous Sierra Nevada batholith, California
- Creators
- Clemens-Knott, Diane
- Saleeby, Jason B.
- Other:
- Putirka, Keith D.
Abstract
Petrologic, structural, geochronologic, and geochemical data from rocks exposed in the western foothills of the Sierra Nevada batholith just south of the western Foothills metamorphic belt (the Stokes Mountain region) provide new insight regarding several poorly understood aspects of the development of the compound Sierra Nevada arc. Exposures of three different metasedimentary packages together document transitions in the depositional environments present along the outboard edge of this arc segment throughout the Mesozoic Era, culminating in the emergence of the Cretaceous continental margin arc. Exposures of mafic cumulates and associated differentiates of the Early Cretaceous batholith permit investigation into the earliest stages of differentiation of depleted-mantle–derived arc magmas. Together with the surrounding Kings-Kaweah ophiolite belt, these Mesozoic plutonic and metasedimentary rocks are proposed to form an analog for the crystalline basement underlying much of the eastern half of the Great Valley forearc basin.
Additional Information
© 2013 Geological Society of America. Accepted 24 January 2013. We are indebted to the many landowner who provided access for the May 2013 Geological Society of America trip to the spectacular outcrops described in this guide, as well as to Scott Paterson and Daniel Sturmer for their helpful reviews. On a longer time frame, we thank the landowners of the Stokes Mountain, Yokohl Valley, and Kings River regions for permission to work on their properties, as well as the multitude of students who have contributed to this research. The California State University-Fullerton (CSUF) student thesis projects described in this guide were supported by a grant from ACS-PRF (50146- UR), as well as an assortment of intramural grants from CSUF and the CSUF Associated Students, Inc. Saleeby acknowledge partial support from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation.Additional details
- Eprint ID
- 47998
- Resolver ID
- CaltechAUTHORS:20140805-134434540
- 50146-UR
- American Chemical Society Petroleum Research Fund
- California State University Fullerton (CSUF)
- Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation
- Created
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2014-08-05Created from EPrint's datestamp field
- Updated
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2021-11-10Created from EPrint's last_modified field
- Caltech groups
- Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences
- Series Name
- Field Guide (Geological Society of America)
- Series Volume or Issue Number
- 32