Contributions To Crustal Evolution Of The Southwestern United States

Papers from the 2008 combined Cordilleran and Rocky Mountain Sections meeting of the Geological Society of America provide background information and road logs for 11 field trips in Nevada, Arizona, and California. Field trips span the geological record from the Ediacaaran (late Neoproterrozoic) to the Holocene. The field trips highlight features of tectonics, paleontology, volcanism, and glaciation. B&w and color photos and maps are included. There is no subject index. Duebendorfer is affiliated with Northern Arizona University. Smith is affiliated with the University of Nevada-Las Vegas.

"This book includes petrology, geochronology, and regional aspects of individual plutons, as well as evolution of the Peninsular Ranges batholith. Several chapters deal with geophysical, chemical, and isotopic based interpretations of the genesis and evolution of the batholith. An accompanying DVD contains detailed colored maps and chemical, isotopic, mineralogic, and physical properties data"--Provided by publisher.

In this Special Paper, Hildebrand and Whalen present a big-picture, paradigm-busting synthesis that examines the tectonic setting, temporal relations, and geochemistry of many plutons within Cretaceous batholithic terranes of the North American Cordillera. In addition to their compelling tectonic synthesis, they argue that most of the batholiths are not products of arc magmatism as commonly believed, but instead were formed by slab failure during and after collision. They show that slab window and Precambrian TTG suites share many geochemical similarities with Cretaceous slab failure rocks. Geochemical and isotopic data indicate that the slab failure magmas were derived dominantly from the mantle and thus have been one of the largest contributors to growth of continental crust. The authors also note that slab failure plutons emplaced into the epizone are commonly associated with Cu-Au porphyries, as well as Li-Cs-Ta pegmatites.

"This guidebook volume for the 2016 GSA Cordilleran Section Meeting, which was held in Ontario, California, explores varied geological features of southern California and Nevada, including the Mojave Desert and Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument"--

With its active fault systems, complex landforms, and myriad natural habitats, southern California boasts a rich and dynamic geologic environment. This abundantly illustrated volume at last provides an up-to-date, authoritative, and accessible resource for students and general readers interested in southern California's geology and native plants. Covering an extensive area, north from San Diego to Yosemite in the Sierra Nevada and east to the Mojave and Colorado deserts, its unique, comprehensive approach brings together for the first time the basic principles of geology, the story of plate tectonics, in-depth discussion of the geology of many specific locales within the region, and information on identifying southern California's native plants.