| New Geologic Maps |
|
We have recently acquired the two newest California Geological Survey publications, "Fault Activity Map of California" and "Geologic Map of California". Both were published in 2010, as updates to their existing maps published in 1994 and 1977, respectively. These maps are for anyone who wishes to learn more about the tremendous earthquake faults of California and their locations and potential, as well as the geologic makeup of our great state. Each priced at $35.00. Please read on for more information from CGS about these wonderful new maps. The 2010 Geologic Map of California includes modifications to the fault traces for consistency with the 2010 edition of the Fault Activity Map of California.Due to the complexity of the onshore geologic data depicted on the Geologic Map of California, it was not technically feasible to incorporate the detailed fault data in its entirety. A comparison of the datasets was made and numerous fault traces were replaced with simplified fault traces based on the new fault map. In addition, several faults that have been mapped since the compilation of the original geologic map were also identified and added, and traces no longer believed to be faults were removed. In general, the Quaternary faults shown in the onshore region of this map are intended to be a simplified representation of the faults depicted on the Fault Activity Map. Although the modification of faults in some areas necessitated the modification of bedrock geology adjacent to those faults, the distribution of bedrock geologic units compiled by Jennings (1977) has otherwise not been modified. Jennings (1977) simplified the depiction of Quarternary geologic units on the original map. As he put it: “various surficial deposits of Quarternary age are lumped into the unit ‘Q’.” Since Jennings’ work, subdivision of these deposits have been found to have very different potential for liquefaction and for amplification of seismic shaking. Relative age of Quaternary alluvial fan deposits have also been found to correlate with potential for flooding. Since these units are important for evaluation of geologic hazards, the 2010 update of the geologic map includes a subdivision of Jennings “Q” into younger alluvium time and represents the modern deposition in flood plains and on alluvial fans. Older alluvium is generally of Pleistocene age and represents depositional systems that are not currently active. New editions of the Geologic Map of California and the Fault Activity Map have been prepared in recognition of the California Geological Survey’s 150th Anniversary. Both are all-digital products built on the original compilations of C.W. Jennings published in 1977 and 1994. The digital version of the Jennings (1977) geologic map was released in 2000 (Saucedo and others, 2000) and serves as the base digital geologic data layer for the new geologic map with additions and modifications described below. The new editions remove, as much as possible, distortions in the previous digital versions that were inherited from the composite base map of the original printed versions. The 2010 Fault Activity Map of California presents a much more detailed depiction of faults in California than previous versions. Faults active in Quaternary (2.6 Ma) were digitized from their original sources in order to preserve as much of the original detail as possible. Similar to the 1994 Fault Activity Map, the new map is accompanied by an extensive listing of the sources of fault maps and age determinations. In the 2010 Fault Activity Map, the faults are depicted in as much detail as possible at the scale of the map. |
