Skip to main content

Tectonic Geomorphology, Quaternary Chronology, and Paleoseismicity

  • Chapter
Developments and Applications of Geomorphology

Abstract

Tectonic geomorphology, defined as the application of geomorphology to tectonic problems, includes the study of landform assemblages and landscape evolution as well as development of process-response models for areas and regions affected by recent tectonic activity. Of particular interest in the study of the earthquake hazard for a particular area are problems associated with deriving rates of faulting and determination of paleoseismicity (study of prehistoric earthquakes) for the late Pleistocene and Holocene. Tectonic geomorphology is a relatively new branch of applied geomorphology, the study of which requires understanding of a number of disciplines other than geomorphology including structural geology, Quaternary stratigraphy, pedology and geochemistry as it relates to weathering-soils and absolute dating techniques.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Allen CR (1975) Geological criteria for evaluating seismicity. Geol Soc Am Bull 82: 1041–1057

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bender ML, Fairbanks RG, Taylor FW, Matthews RK, Goddard JG, Broecker WS (1979) Uranium-series dating of the Pleistocene reef tracts of Barbados, West Indies. Geol Soc Am Bull Part 1,90: 577–594

    Google Scholar 

  • Bilzi AF, Ciolkosz E J (1977) A field morphology rating scale for evaluating pedological development. Soil Science 124 (1): 45–48

    Google Scholar 

  • Birkeland PW (1974) Pedology, weathering, and geomorphological research. Oxford Univ Press, New York, 285 p

    Google Scholar 

  • Bloom AL, Broecker WS, Chappell J MA, Matthews RK, Mesolella KJ (1974) Quaternary sea level fluctuations on a tectonic coast. New 23°Th/238U dates from Huon Peninsula, New Guinea. Quat Res 4: 185–205

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boellstorff DJ, Steineck PL (1975) The stratigraphic significance of fission track ages on volcanic ashes in the marine late-Cenozoic of southern California. Earth Planet Sci Lett 27: 143–154

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bowen DQ (1978) Quaternary Geology. Pergamon Press, New York, 221 p

    Google Scholar 

  • Broecker WS, Thurber DL, Goddard J, Ku TL, Matthews RK, Mesolella KJ (1968) Milankovitch hypothesis supported by precise dating of coral reefs and deep-sea sediments. Science 159: 297–300

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Buchanan-Banks JF, Castle RO, Ziony JI (1975) Elevation changes in the central Transverse Ranges near Ventura, California. Tectonophysics 29: 113–125

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bucknam RC, Anderson RE (1979) Estimation of fault-scarp ages from a scarp-height-slope-angle relationship. Geology 7: 11–14

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bufe CG, Tocher D (1974) Central San Andreas fault strain episodes, fault creep and earthquakes. Geology 2 (4): 205–207

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bull WB (1964) Geomorphology of segmented alluvial fans in western Fresno County, California. US Geol Surv Prof Pap 352-E: 89–129

    Google Scholar 

  • Bull WB (1977) The alluvial fan environment. Prog Phys Geogr 1 (2): 222–270

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bull WB, McFadden LD (1977) Tectonic geomorphology north and south of the Garlock fault, California. In: Doehring DO (ed) Geomorphology in arid regions. Publ Geomorphol. Proc 8th Annu Geomorphol Symp. State Univ NY, Binghamton, pp 118–138

    Google Scholar 

  • Chappel J (1974) Geology of coral terraces, Huon Peninsula, New Guinea: A study of Quaternary tectonic movements and sea-level changes. Geol Soc Am Bull 85: 553–570

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clark MC, Gantz A, Rubin M (1972) Holocene activity of the Coyote Creek fault as recorded in sediments of Lake Cahuilla. US Geol Surv Prof Pap 787: 112–130

    Google Scholar 

  • Clark MN (1980) Ground rupture and seismic shaking as separate hazards of active faults. Proc 18th Annu Eng Geol Soils Eng Symp, Boise, Idaho, pp 83–96

    Google Scholar 

  • Clark MN, Keller EA (1979) Newly identified zone of potentially active reverse faulting, western Transverse Ranges, California. Geol Soc. Am Abstr Programs 11 (7): 402–403

    Google Scholar 

  • Clark MN, Keller EA (1980) Earthquake hazard evaluation of active faults near Ojai, California. Geol Soc Am Abstr Programs 12 (3): 102

    Google Scholar 

  • Coleman SM, Pierce KL (1977) Summary table of Quaternary dating methods. Mise Field Stud US Geol Surv Map MF-904

    Google Scholar 

  • Coleman SM, Pierce KL (1981) Weathering rinds on andesitic and basaltic stones as a Quaternary age indicator, western United States. US Geol Surv Prof Pap 1210: 56

    Google Scholar 

  • Crook RJr, Allen CR, Kamb B, Payne CM, Proctor RJ (1978) Quaternary Geology and seismic hazard of the Sierra Madre and associated faults, western San Gabriel Mountains, California. Final Tech Rep US Geol Surv Contract 14-08-0001-15258

    Google Scholar 

  • Crough ST, Burford RO (1977) Empirical law for fault-creep events. Tectonophysics 42: T53–T59

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Crowell JC (1974) Origin of late Cenozoic basins in southern California. In: Dickinson W (ed) Tectonics and sedimentation, Spec. Publ No 22. Soc Econ Paleontol Mineral, pp 190–204

    Google Scholar 

  • Davis T (1981) Late Holocene seismic record, western Big Bend of San Andreas fault. Geol Soc Am Abstr Programs 13 (2): 51

    Google Scholar 

  • Dibblee TW Jr (1977) Strike-slip tectonics of the San Andreas fault and its role in Cenozoic basic evolvement. In: Late Mesozoic and Cenozoic sedimentation and tectonics in California. San Joaquin Geol Soc Short Course, pp 26–38

    Google Scholar 

  • Emiliani C (1955) Pleistocene temperatures. J Geol 63: 538–578

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Emiliani C (1966) Paleotemperature analysis of Caribbean cores, P6304-8 and P6304-9 and a generalized temperature curve for the past 425,000 years. J Geol 74 (2): 109–126

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ericson DB, Wollin G (1968) Pleistocene climate and chronology in deep-sea sediments. Science 162: 1277–1284

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gillespie AR (1982) Quaternary glaciation and tectonism in the southeastern Sierra Nevada, Inyo County, California. Unpubl PhD thesis, California Inst Technol, 695 p

    Google Scholar 

  • Gregory KJ (1978) A physical geography equation. Natl Geogr 12: 137–141

    Google Scholar 

  • Hack JT (1973) Stream-profile analysis and stream gradient index. J Res US Geol Surv 1 (4): 421–429

    Google Scholar 

  • Harden JW (1982) A quantitative index of soil development from field descriptions: Examples from a chronosequence in central California. Geoderma 28: 1–28

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hooke RL (1972) Geomorphic evidence for late-Wisconsin and Holocene tectonic deformation, Death Valley, California. Geol Soc Am Bull 83: 2073–2098

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jenny H (1941) Factors of soil formation. McGraw-Hill, New York, 281 p

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson DL, Rockwell TK (1982) Soil geomorphology: Theory, concepts and principles with examples and applications on alluvial and marine terraces in coastal California. Geol Soc Am Abstr Programs 14 (4): 176

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson DL, Keller EA, Rockwell TK, Dembroff GR (in prep) Differential dynamic-rate model of pedogenesis. Manuscript in preparation

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaufman A, Broecker WS, Ku TL, Thurber DL (1971) The status of U-series methods of mollusk dating. Geochem Cosmochem Acta 35: 1155–1183

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Keller EA (1977) Adjustment of drainage to bedrock in regions of contrasting tectonic framework. Geol Soc Am Abstr Programs 9 (7): 1046

    Google Scholar 

  • Keller EA, Bonkowski MS, Korsch RJ, Shlemon RJ (1982 a) Tectonic geomorphology of the San Andreas fault zone in the southern Indio Hills, Coachella Valley, California. Geol Soc Am Bull 93: 46–56

    Google Scholar 

  • Keller EA, Rockwell TK, Clark MN, Dembroff GR, Johnson DL (1982 b) Tectonic geomor-phology of the Ventura, Ojai and Santa Paula areas, western Transverse Ranges, California. In: Cooper ID (ed) Neotectonics in southern California. Guideb Prep 78th Annu Meet Cordilleran Sect Geol Soc Am pp 25–42

    Google Scholar 

  • Keller EA, Johnson DL, Clark MN, Rockwell TK (1980) Tectonic geomorphology and earthquake hazard, north flank, central Ventura Basin, California. US Geol Surv Open File Rep 81–376, 167 p

    Google Scholar 

  • Klein J, Lerman JC, Damon PE, Ralph EK (1982) Calibration of Radiocarbon dates. Radiocarbon 24 (2):pp 103–150

    Google Scholar 

  • Koch TW (1933) Analysis and effects of current movement on an active fault in Buena Vista Hills oil field, Kern County, California. Am Assoc Petroleum Geol Bull 17 (8): 694–712

    Google Scholar 

  • Ku TL, Bull WB, Freeman ST, Knaus KG (1977) Th230/U234 dating of pedogenic carbonates in desert soils. Geol Soc Am Abstr Programs 9 (7): 1061

    Google Scholar 

  • Lajoie KR, Kern JP, Wehmiller JF, Kennedy GL, Mathieson SA, Sarna-Wojcicki AM, Yerkes RF, McCrory PF (1979) Quaternary marine shorelines and crustal deformation, San Diego to Santa Barbara, California. In: Abbott PL (ed) Geological excursions in the southern California area. San Diego State Univ, Dep Geol Sci, pp 3–15

    Google Scholar 

  • Lajoie KR, Sarna-Wojcicki AM, Yerkes RF (1982) Quaternary chronology and rates of crustal deformation in the Ventura area, California. In: Copper JW (ed) Neotectonics in Southern California. Guideb Prep 78th Annu Meet Cordilleran Sect Geol Soc Am, pp 43–51

    Google Scholar 

  • Lensen GJ (1968) Analysis of progressive fault displacement during downcutting at the Branch River terraces, South Island, New Zealand. Geol Soc Am Bull 79: 545–556

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lensen GJ, Vella P (1971) The Waiohine River faulted terrace sequence: Recent crustal movements. R Soc N Z Bull 9: 117–119

    Google Scholar 

  • Mangerud J, Gulliksen S (1975) Apparent Radiocarbon ages of recent marine shells from Norway, Spitsbergen and Arctic Canada. Quat Res 5: 263–274

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Matsuda T, Ota Y, Ardo M, Yonekura N (1978) Fault mechanism and recurrence time of major earthquakes in southern Kanto district, Japan, as deduced from coastal terrace data. Geol Soc Am Bull 89: 1610–1618

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meixner RE, Singer MJ (1981) Use of a field morphology rating system to evaluate soil formation and discontinuities. Soil Sci 131 (2): 114–123

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nason RE, Weertman J (1973) A dislocation theory analysis of fault creep events. J Geophys Res 78 (32): 7745–7751

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nason RE, Cooper AK, Tocher D (1968) Slippage on the Buena Vista thrust fault. In: Geology and oilfields, West Side Southern San Joaquin Valley. Am Assoc Petroleum Geol, Pac Sect, pp 100–101

    Google Scholar 

  • Olsson IU (1974) Some problems in connection with the evaluation of 14C dates. Geol Foeren Stockholm Foerh 96: 311–320

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Olsson IU, Osadebe FAN (1974) Carbon isotope variations and fractionation corrections in 14C dating. Boreas 3: 139–146

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Packer D, Biggar N, Hee K (1975) Age dating geologic materials—A survey of techniques. Consultant Rep, Woodward-Clyde Consultants

    Google Scholar 

  • Polach HA, Golson J (1966) Collection of specimens for Radiocarbon dating and interpretation of results. Aust Inst Aborig Stud, Aust Natl Univ, Canberra, Manual No 2, 42 p

    Google Scholar 

  • Proctor RJ, Crook RJr, McKeown MH, Moresco RL (1972) Relation of known faults to surface ruptures, 1971 San Fernando earthquake, southern California. Geol Soc Am Bull 83: 1601–1618

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Putnam WC (1942) Geomorphology of the Ventura Region, California. Geol Soc Am Bull 53: 691–754

    Google Scholar 

  • Rockwell IK (1982) Style, rates and recency of deformation along the San Cayetano fault, western Transverse Ranges, California. Geol Soc Am Abstr Programs 14 (4): 228

    Google Scholar 

  • Rockwell TK, Keller EA (1980) Alluvial fan deformation along the San Cayetano fault, western Transverse Ranges, California. Geol Soc Am Abstr Programs 12 (3): 150

    Google Scholar 

  • Rockwell TK, Keller EA, Clark MN, Johnson DL (1984) Chronology and rates of faulting of Ventura River terraces, California. Geol Soc Am Bull, in press

    Google Scholar 

  • Rodgers DA (1975) Deformation, stress accumulation, and secondary faulting in the vicinity of the Transverse Ranges of Southern California. Unpublished PhD thesis, Brown Univ, 181 p

    Google Scholar 

  • Runge ECA (1973) Soil development sequences and energy models. Soil Sei 115: 183–193

    Google Scholar 

  • Rust DJ (1982) Radiocarbon dates for the most recent large prehistoric earthquake and for late Holocene slip rates. San Andreas fault in part of the Transverse Ranges north of Los Angeles. Geol Soc Am Abstr Programs 14 (4): 229

    Google Scholar 

  • Savage JC, Burford RO (1970) Accumulation of tectonic strain in California. Seismol Soc Am Bull 60 (6): 1877–1896

    Google Scholar 

  • Savage JC, Prescott WH, Lisowski M, King N (1979) Deformation across Salton Trough, California, 1973–1977. J Geophys Res 84 (B6): 3069–3079

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schubert C (1982) Neotectonics of Bocono fault, western Venezuela. Tectonophysics 85 205–220

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shackleton NJ, Opdyke ND (1973) Oxygen isotope and paleomagnetic stratigraphy of equatorial Pacific core V28–238 oxygen isotope temperatures and ice volumes on a 105 and 106 year scale. Quat Res 3: 39–55

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sharp RV (1967) San Jacinto fault zone in the Peninsular ranges of southern California. Geol Soc Am Bull 78: 705–730

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sharp RV (1981) Variable rates of late Quaternary strike slip on the San Jacinto fault zone, southern California. J Geophys Res 86 (B3): 1754–1762

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sieh KE (1978) Prehistoric large earthquakes produced by slip on the San Andreas fault at Pallett Creek, California. J Geophys Res 83 (B8): 3907–3938

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sieh KE (1981) A review of geological evidence for recurrence times of large earthquakes: Earthquake prediction—an international review. Maurice Ewing Ser 4. Am Geophys Un, pp 181–207

    Google Scholar 

  • Simonson RW (1959) Outline of a generalized theory of soil genesis. Soil Sci Soc Am Proc 23: 152–156

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stuiver M (1982) A high-precision calibration of the AD Radiocarbon time scale. Radiocarbon 24 (1): 1–26

    Google Scholar 

  • Sylvester AG (1982) Precise leveling across active faults in California. In: Proceedings of the international symposium on geodetic networks and computations. Int Assoc Geodesy, Munich, Aug 31–Sept 5, 1981 pp 162–174

    Google Scholar 

  • Sylvester AG, Smith RR (1976) Tectonic transpression and basement-controlled deformation in San Andreas fault zone, Salton Trough, California. Am Assoc Petroleum Geol Bull 60 (12): 2081–2102

    Google Scholar 

  • Thatcher W(1976) Episodic strain accumulation in southern California. Science 194:691–695

    Google Scholar 

  • Thurber DL, Broecker WS, Blanchard RL, Potratz HA (1965) Uranium series ages of Pacific atoll coral. Science 149: 55–58

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Trifonov VG (1978) Late Quaternary tectonic movements of western and central Asia. Geol Soc Am Bull 89: 1059–1072

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wallace RE (1977) Profiles and ages of young fault scarps, north-central Nevada. Geol Soc Am Bull 88: 1267–1281

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wehmiller JF, Lajoie KR, Sarna-Wojcicki AM, Yerkes RF, Kennedy GL, Stephens TA, Kohl RF (1978) Amino-acid racemization dating of Quaternary mollusks, Pacific coast, United States. In: Zartman RE (ed) Short Pap 14th Int Conf Geochronol, Cosmochronol Isotope Geol. US Geol Surv Open File Rep 78–701, pp 445–448

    Google Scholar 

  • Wesson RL, Helley EJ, Lajoie KR, Wentworth CM (1975) Faults and future earthquakes. In: Borcherdt RD (ed) Studies for seismic zonation of the San Francisco Bay region. US Geol Surv Prof Pap 941 A, pp A5 - A30

    Google Scholar 

  • Whitten CA (1956) Crustal movement in California and Nevada: Trans Am Geophys Un 37 (4): 393–398

    Google Scholar 

  • Whitten CA (1960) Horizontal movement in the earth’s crust. J Geophys Res 65: 2839–2849

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Whitten CA (1971) Crustal-movement surveys and pre-earthquake strain analysis. In: The San Fernando Earthquake of Feb 9, 1971, US Geol Surv Prof Pap 733: 161–162

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilt JW (1958) Measured movement along the surface trace of an active thrust fault in the Buena Vista Hills. Seismol Soc Am Bull 48: 169–176

    Google Scholar 

  • Yang AIC, Fairhall AW (1972) Variations of natural Radiocarbon during the last 11 millenia and geophysical mechanisms for producing them. In: Proc 8th Int Conf Radio Carbon Dating, Wellington, New Zealand, pp A44–A57

    Google Scholar 

  • Yeats RS (1982) Low-shake faults of the Ventura Avenue anticline, Ventura Basin, California. Geol Soc Am Abstr Programs 14 (4): 246

    Google Scholar 

  • Yeats RS, Clark MN, Keller EA, Rockwell TK (1981) Active fault hazard in southern California. Ground rupture versus seismic shaking. Geol Soc Am Bull 92: 189–196

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yerkes RF, Bonilla MG, Ellsworth WL, Lindh AG, Tinsley JC (1981) Reverse faulting and crustal unloading near Lompoc, northwest Transverse Ranges, California. Geol Soc Am Abstr Progr 13 (7): 586

    Google Scholar 

  • Yoshikawa T, Kaeyerka S, Ota Y (1981) The landforms of Japan. Univ Tokyo Press, Tokyo, pp 39–72

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1984 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Keller, E.A., Rockwell, T.K. (1984). Tectonic Geomorphology, Quaternary Chronology, and Paleoseismicity. In: Costa, J.E., Fleisher, P.J. (eds) Developments and Applications of Geomorphology. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-69759-3_7

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-69759-3_7

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-69761-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-69759-3

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics