Geology of Portions of the Humphreys and Sylmar Quadrangles

Citation

Smith, Raymond James (1948) Geology of Portions of the Humphreys and Sylmar Quadrangles. Master's thesis, California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/CVCZ-CB42. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:03162010-083524702

Abstract

The portions of the Sylmar and Humphreys Quadrangles studied consist of Jurassic? "basement complex" and sediments of Pliocene age and younger. These are brought together along the San Gabriel fault. The Tertiary sediments comprise the Mint Canyon formation, the Modelo formation, the Pico formation, the Saugus formation, and Quaternary terrace and alluvial material. These are listed in order of decreasing age. All the contacts between the various sedimentary formations are unconformable. The Miooene formations are highly folded and faulted, and a large vertical fault displaces upper miocene beds. The Pliocene and younger formations also are folded, but to only a minor degree. The abundance of shale in the Tertiary section makes the region one of numerous landslides. In addition, unusual erosive action and succession of units has resulted in the carving out of a small-scale natural bridge. There is no production of economic materials from the area at the present time, but the possibilities of petroleum development are now being given serious consideration.

Thesis Files