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Extensional Deformation and Volcanism Within the Northern Puertecitos Volcanic Province, Sierra Santa Isabel, Baja California, Mexico

Citation

Nagy, Elizabeth Ann (1997) Extensional Deformation and Volcanism Within the Northern Puertecitos Volcanic Province, Sierra Santa Isabel, Baja California, Mexico. Dissertation (Ph.D.), California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/znpy-3311. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:01132010-093747416

Abstract

Geologic features at the western edge of the Gulf Extensional Province (GEP) in northeastern Baja California, Mexico, record details of Pacific-North American (PAC-NAM) plate boundary history prior to and during its establishment within the Gulf of California. Methods of study in Santa Isabel Wash (SIW) (informally named) in the northern Sierra Santa Isabel include geologic mapping of ~140 km^2 (1:20000 scale) along the northern margin of the Miocene-Pliocene Puertecitos Volcanic Province (PVP), ^(40)Ar/^(39)Ar geochronology, electron microprobe analysis, paleomagnetic study, and petrography. Local Neogene stratigraphy (spanning ~17-6 Ma) includes volcaniclastic breccias, basaltic to dacitic lava flows, and rhyolitic pyroclastic flow deposits. The completeness of the lithologic package improves stratigraphic correlations between the PVP and nearby regions.

High-angle extension-related faults cut all rocks in SIW. The southeastward projection of the pre-6 Ma Matorni accommodation zone, which separates a northern region of greater and more prolonged extension from a less extended southern zone, may pass on the north side of SIW. Paleomagnetic analysis indicates no vertical axis rotations in SIW since 6 Ma. This contrasts with regions north of the Matomi accommodation zone where clockwise rotation has accompanied extensional deformation since 3-6 Ma. About 500 meters of post-6 Ma, E-side-down displacement occurs across two major, NNW-striking normal faults on the west side of SIW. These, and smaller synthetic and antithetic faults in the hanging walls, accommodate up to 4% E- to ENE-directed extension. Quaternary deformation is also documented.

A new model developed to explain ENE-directed extension in northeastern Baja California partitions present-day PAC-NAM plate motion between NNW-striking, sinistral dip-slip faults and N- to NNW-striking, dextral (oblique?) strike-slip fault(s) in the northernmost Gulf of California. The model offers explanations for the geometry of plate motion accommodation between the latitudes of the Agua Blanca fault and the PVP, bathymetric features near Wagner and Consag basins, the position and jumps of nearby spreading centers since 6 Ma, the greater width and bend in coastline of the northernmost Gulf of California, the incorporation of the PVP into the GEP 2-3 Ma, and suggests a transitional tectonic scenario between oceanic spreading centers and continental transforms ("Wagner Transition Zone").

Item Type:Thesis (Dissertation (Ph.D.))
Subject Keywords:Baja California, Gulf Extensional Province, Sierra Santa Isabel, breccias, pyroclastic flow, Agua Blanca Fault, gps, thesis, phd
Degree Grantor:California Institute of Technology
Division:Geological and Planetary Sciences
Major Option:Geology
Thesis Availability:Public (worldwide access)
Research Advisor(s):
  • Stock, Joann M. (advisor)
  • Murray, Bruce C. (co-advisor)
Thesis Committee:
  • Murray, Bruce C. (chair)
  • Kirschvink, Joseph L.
  • Farley, Kenneth A.
  • Silver, Leon T.
  • Stock, Joann M.
Defense Date:18 April 1997
Additional Information:Supplemental Files Information: Geologic map of northern Sierra Santa Isabel, Baja California, Mexico: Supplement 1 from "Extensional deformation and volcanism within the northern puertecitos volcanic province, Sierra Santa Isabel, Baja California, Mexico" (Thesis). Date(s) Collected: 1993/1996. Geographic Location Bounding Box: -114.833 Degrees East; -114.933 Degrees West; 30.417 Degrees North; 30.33 Degrees South. Cross-sections to accompany Geologic map of northern Sierra Santa Isabel, Baja California, Mexico: Supplement 2 from "Extensional deformation and volcanism within the northern puertecitos volcanic province, Sierra Santa Isabel, Baja California, Mexico" (Thesis).
Record Number:CaltechTHESIS:01132010-093747416
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:01132010-093747416
DOI:10.7907/znpy-3311
Related URLs:
URLURL TypeDescription
https://doi.org/10.22002/D1.1769DOISupplement 1 in CaltechDATA: Geologic map of northern Sierra Santa Isabel, Baja California, Mexico
https://doi.org/10.22002/D1.1770DOISupplement 2 in CaltechDATA: Cross-sections to accompany Geologic map of northern Sierra Santa Isabel, Baja California, Mexico
Default Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:5516
Collection:CaltechTHESIS
Deposited By: Tony Diaz
Deposited On:13 Jan 2010 18:18
Last Modified:12 Nov 2021 20:17

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