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The Geology of the Cache Creek Region, Kern County, California

Citation

Smith, George Irving (1951) The Geology of the Cache Creek Region, Kern County, California. Master's thesis, California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/CJEN-ZG93. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechETD:etd-03142008-112248

Abstract

Along the north side of Tehachapi Pass, California, lies a basin containing three Tertiary formations resting on crystalline rocks of Sierra Batholith (?) age. The lowermost formation, the Witnet, is approximately 4000 feet thick and oonsists of coarse arkosic sandstones and conglomerates; the formation contains no fossils. The middle formation, the Kinnick, is 1900 feet thick and consists of massively bedded tuffs, agglomerates, and andesitio lavas; it is of lower Miocene age. The upper formation, the Bopesta, is more than 4000 feet thick and is made up of a fine grain sandstone; it was deposited in upper Miocene time. A Quaternary basalt is also present. Deformation first occurred in pre-Kinnick (lower Miocene) time as a major thrust fault placing crystalline rocks over Witnet. The motion was toward the north-northwest, or perpendicular to the Garlock Fault. In middle Miocene time, folding and minor thrusting parallel to the Garlock Fault occurred. In post Miocene time, broad folds parallel to the Garlock were formed and uplift on the north side of the fault took place. The writer has concluded that this indicates activity on the Garlock fault in pre-lower Miocene time with less intense but continued activity to the present.

Item Type:Thesis (Master's thesis)
Subject Keywords:Tehachapi Pass, Sierra Batholith, Witnet Formation, Kinnick Formation, Bopesta Formation, Garlock Fault
Degree Grantor:California Institute of Technology
Division:Geological and Planetary Sciences
Major Option:Geology
Thesis Availability:Public (worldwide access)
Research Advisor(s):
  • Buwalda, John P.
Thesis Committee:
  • Unknown, Unknown
Defense Date:1 January 1951
Additional Information:Supplemental Files Information: Geology of the Cache Creek region, Kern County, California: Supplement 1 from "The geology of the Cache Creek region, Kern County, California" (Thesis). Date(s) Collected: 1951. Geologic map of Upper Oil Canyon: Supplement 2 from "The geology of the Cache Creek region, Kern County, California" (Thesis). Structural cross sections of the Cache Creek Region: Supplement 3 from "The geology of the Cache Creek region, Kern County, California" (Thesis).
Record Number:CaltechETD:etd-03142008-112248
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechETD:etd-03142008-112248
DOI:10.7907/CJEN-ZG93
Related URLs:
URLURL TypeDescription
https://doi.org/10.22002/D1.701DOISupplement 1 in CaltechDATA: Geology of the Cache Creek region, Kern County, California
https://doi.org/10.22002/D1.702DOISupplement 2 in CaltechDATA: Geologic map of Upper Oil Canyon
https://doi.org/10.22002/D1.703DOISupplement 3 in CaltechDATA: Structural cross sections of the Cache Creek Region
Default Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:956
Collection:CaltechTHESIS
Deposited By: Imported from ETD-db
Deposited On:14 Mar 2008
Last Modified:24 Apr 2023 22:57

Thesis Files

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PDF (Smith_gi_1951.pdf) - Final Version
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PDF (Geology) - Supplemental Material
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PDF (Geologic map) - Supplemental Material
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PDF (Structural cross sections) - Supplemental Material
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