In This

CALIFORNIA
DMG REGIONAL GEOLOGIC MAP RELEASE . .. ..... 166
GEOLOGY DIVISION OF MINES AND GEOLOGY'S ENVIRONMENTAL
.. 167
PROTECTION PROGRAM ..
GEOLOGIC CONDITIONS AT THREE RANCHO PALOS
A PUBLICATION OF THE VERDES SUBDIVISIONS ....... . 174
DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION
GEOLOGIC HAZARDS AT THE NEW BAY FARM ISLAND
DIVISION OF MINES AND GEOLOGY
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL . . .. .......... 178
Stare 01 Calot""",, PETE WILSON IMPLEMENTING AN AWARD WINNING RECLAMATION PLAN AT
Governor CASTLE MOUNTAIN MINE... . . .... 182
SEDIMENTATION IN A HIGHLY EROSIVE WATERSHED. .187
The R8SO'Jfces AQ&nc:y DOUGLAS P. WHEELER
Secrerary for Resources
TEACHER FEATURE . . 192
PUBLICATIONS REOUEST FORM . .. 193
Depart"""'t 01 Consl'INat"'" EDWARD G. HEIDIG DMG SPECIAL PUBLICATION RELEASE . .194
DIf8Ctor CALIFORNIA GEOLOGY SUBSCRIPTION AND CHANGE OF
ADDRESS FORM ... . 194
Oivislor1 01 M,,_ & Geology JAMES F. DAVIS
INDEX TO VOLUME 45 -\992 ....................... 195
Slate Geologisr
DMG OPEN-FILE REPORT RELEASE. .. .. 196
CALIFORNIA GEOLOGY

Te<:hmcal Editor; Elise Manison

Copy Editor: Lena Tabilio
GraphICS and Design: Peggy Walker DMG REGIONAL GEOLOGIC MAP RElEASE
Publications SUpervlSllr: Jell lambert
DMG REGIONAL GEOLOGIC MAP. Mesozoic volcanic arc complexes and
OMsoon Headquanen 801 K SI,eel, 12th Floor. lAS 12·30 RGM7A CHICO QUADRANGLE. the 10000000r Paleozoic Shoo Ay complex.
Sacramento. CA 95814·3S31 By G.J. Saucedo and D.L. Wagner. Granitic rocks of the Sierra Nevada
916·44$·1825
1992. Set 01 live sheets. $22.00. batholith make up the balance of the
Publications ancllnlormauOtl 0110(;8- WI K Street province to the east. To the west it is
,41ll FIooI. MS '4·33 The Chico lOx 2° quadrangle is unconfonnably overlain by the Ceno-
Sacramento, CA 95814·3S32
916-445-57\6 the seventh map in the new Regional zoic and Mesozoic deposits of the Great
Geologic Map Series. The quadrangle Valley province. Salient geologic fea-
los ArIgeIes 0tl1Ce 107 South Broadway, Room 1065
covers approximately 7.600 square tures of the northeastern Sacramento
los Angeles, CA 90012·4402
2'3·620·3~ miles (19.700 km2) in northeastern Valley include the intensely faulted
California and includes parts of the Chico monocline and the Plio-Pleis-
Bay Area RegK)llal OHie8 1145 Markel Street
san FfinClSCO, CA 94103·1513 Great Valley and Sierra Nevada geo- tocene volcanic complex of Sutter
415·557·1500 morphic provinces. Buttes.
CALIFORNIA GEOt-OGY (ISSN 0026 (555) Is published Dj. The Sierra Nevada province occu- Accompanying the geologic map
monthly by lI'te Qepartmenl 01 eonse"'alJOn. OMsion 01 Mi"'" pies roughly 75 percent of the map.
and Geology The Records OIlice i$ at 1059 V;ne St'eet. Su'la is a regional cross section and plates
103. Sacram""lo. CA 9S814, 5e<:ood class poslal/ll is paid al Pre-batholithic rocks in this area can be showing geologic map units. the
Sacrarnenlo. CA. PostmaSle" Send add,ess changas IOCAlI· separated into lour northwest-trending
FORNEII GEOLOOY (USPS 3508401. eo.2'960. Sacramenlo. sources of data used in the compilation,
CA 95812·2980 belts: 1) A western belt of Jurassic locations and ages of rock samples
rocks primarily arc-derived volcani- dated by radiometric methods. and
Aeports conce'rung DMSIOIl 01 Mines and Geology p<lIjfI(:lS.
8tIcl arIodes and news ,tams ,alaled to lila earth S08f'IC8'S In clastic deposits and ophiolitic rocks of recency ollaulting.
CalnOl",a. a,e indur;Iod In llle maga....... Com,iooted artodes. the Smartville complex: 2) A central
pI\Ologll'phS. news ~e-ms. ane geological meebng announce·
m....ns ara w&k:oma. belt containing a complex assemblage RGM7A is available for reference
of disrupted Paleozoic and Mesozoic and purchase at all three DMG offices
THE CONCLUSIONS AND OPINIONS EXPRESSED IN AA·
TICLES ARE SOLELY THOSE OF' THE AUTHORS AND ARE
rocks: 3) The Feather River peridotite (addresses are on page 193). The Sac-
NOT NECESSARILY ENDORSED BY THE DEPARTMENT belt-a mid- to late Paleozoic ultramafic ramento office also offers prepaid mail
OF'CONSERVATIQN body bounded on the east by the order sales. In addition. the Publications
Co<re~ ShOuld De add,aSSed to. EdllOt. Melones fault zone; and 4) An eastern Requesl Fonn on page 193 can be used
CALIFOANIA GEOLOGY. 801 K Sl,"l. MS 14·33. belt containing several Paleozoic and to order RGM7A.
sacram""to. CA 9S814·3532

SYt>sa'plK>ns $8.00/1 y' (6 iSSueS); $1 S.50J2 yrs. (12 ,"ues):

$23.0013 yrs.lI8,ssues). SendSUbSCr'ptoonOtderSandchange
01 addfessinlormation to CALIFORNIAGEOLOOY. P 0 Bo.
2980. Sacramento, CA 9!;812-2980

Cover Photo: Nursery for maintaining salvaged plants

NOVEMBERIOECEMBER 1992 for reclamation of mined land. Photo courtesy of Viceroy
VOlume 45/Number 6 Resource Corporation.
CGEOA 45 (6) 165-196 (1992)

CALIFORNIA GEOLOGY NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 1992

'"
In the Decode ol/he Environment...

THE DIVISION OF MINES AND GEOLOGY'S

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECfION PROGRAM

TRINDA L. BEDROSSIAN, Supervising Geologist
Division of Mines and Geology

Photo 1. Over the past 15 years the population of Canada geese wintering In the San Joaquin River botlom has steadily declined from thou'
sands to apprQlumately 200 (Koehler, 1991). However, recent reclamation ot mined·lands In the San Joaquin River bottom and the establish·
ment of agflcultural lands (Le,. planting ot com) on CalMat sand and gravel properties has resulted in the reestablishment of wildlife habitat
and a gradual increase in the Canada goose population to 500 to 1,000 within the reclaimed areas, Photo counesy of Gene R. Block,
CalMa/ Company.

INTRODUCTION

A lthough the 19905 have been coined

"the decade of the environment,"
many of California's environmentalla\.VS
were enacted In the early 19705. For more
than 20 years, the Department of Conser-
vation's (I:X>C) Division of Mines and Geol-
ogy (DMG) has revievJed over 25.000
geokJgic and seismic reJXlrt5 \Millen in
response to various environmental laws.
DMG's Em.ironmental Protection Program
(EPP) reviews erMronmental documents
that accompany proposed construction
prOJeCts including. but not limited to. Envi-
ronmentallmpact ReportS (fJRs). hospital
and school SIte reportS. minecHand recla-
matm plans, and Timber Harvesting
Plans (THPs) EPP prO\lkles expert techni-
cal input to land-use planners and manag-
ers. 'lead agendes. private consultants.
and the public to reduce the potentia! for
adverse impacts of local geologic concH-
tions on proposed human actiVIties and
the natural environment. and to conserve
The five EPP projects are summarized
below, Examples of the issues reviewed
under these projects are presented in
natural resources while protecting lhe anicles that accompany this summary,
environment (Photo l). Comments and
recommendations made by DMG staff are ENVIRONMENTAL
used by local. State and federal decision REVIEW PROJECT
makers to protecl the health, safely. and
The Environmental Review Projeet
economk IAICII-being of California resi-
(ERI') reviews selected EIRs and other
deniS. Because of their expertise in engi-
documents prepared in reslXXlSC to the
neering geology and experience in hazard
California Environmental Quality ACI
assessmenl. EPP staff also assist other
(CEQAl. lhe NatKmal Environmental
DMG staff. lhe Offk:e of Emergency Ser-
Policy Acl {NEPAl. and State plannng law
vices. and the California Depanment of
Forestry and Fire Protechon (COF) Itt NEPA ReVIew
response to major hazard ewnts such as
the 19 2-83 Bay Area stOlTnS. the 1985 NEPA "las enacted in 1969 10 require
Lexington and 1991 Oakland Hills fires. the erMronmentai review of aD federal
and the 1989 Lorna Prieta and 1992 pennits. Ikansas. and enlitlements
Petrolia and Landers eanhquakes (Herson. 1987), Urrler the NEPA process.

CALIFORNIA GEOlOGY NOVEMBER DECEMBER 1992

'"
a pennit agency first prepares a brief Envi-
ronmental Assessment (E.A.) of the pro-
posed action. If the EA indicates there
will be a significant environmental effect.
NEPA requires federal agencies to declare
in an Environmental Impact Statement
(85) the potential significant adverse envi-
ronmental impacts of their actions. The
agency must also prepare a final E1S that
responds to public comments on the draft
ElS and documents the decision-making
process, Examples of projects revi€\.V€d
by ERP staff where an 8S was prepared
in conjunction with an 8R include the
Auburn Dam/American River Watershed
Project (Photo 2) and the Mojave Desert
Conservation Area,
CECA Review
The majority of plans reviewed by ERP
are CEQA documents. Approximately
95 percent of the reviews deal with public
safety issues related to seismic hazards.
CEQA was enacted in 1970. primarily
to ensure that public agency decision-
makers consider and document the envi-
ronmental implications of their actions
(Remy and others. 1990). The purpose of
this legislation is to establish a process that
I) informs the public of the potential envi-
ronmental impacts of a proposed project:
2) examines alternative projects that may
have fewer impacts; and 3) identifies meth-
ods to reduce the environmental impacts
of the project selected. CEQA differs from
NEPA by requiring public agencies to
seek and implement feasible means of
reducing or avoiding the potential signifi-
cant adverse impacts of proposed projects,
rather than merely considering them. If the
Initial Studies (IS) indicate the proposed
project may cause a Significant adverse
effect or impact on the environment. the
public agency must prepare an E1R.
land subsidence. and related land-use plan-
ning and mineral resource issues (see
McMillan. this issue).
ERP staff also provide technical assis-
tance to cities and counties that are lead
agencies under CEQA/NEPA, to other
State agencies revievJing the same docu-
ments for their concerns and perspectives.
and to consultants and lead agencies who
prepare documents, or who must respond
to DMG comments. ERP's role is to pro-
vide advice so that site-specific comments
in environmental documents contain geo-
logic data that are accurate. complete. and
apply directly to assessing the potential
impacts of land-use modifications. The
purpose of ERP reviews is to improve
public safety by ensuring that geologic and
seismic hazards have been identified and
avoided or mitigated, and that appropriate
design requirements have been considered.
Safety Elements
In addition to reviewing documents
tmder CEQA/NEPA. ERP staff review and
compile geologic/seismic infonnalion
related to General Plan Safety Elements.
California law requires lhat each city and
county prepare and adopt a comprehen-
sive. long-tenn General Plan that describes
commmunity development goals and
provides concrete direction for decision-
making relative to the distribution of future
land use (Baker and others, 1987). Follovr
ing devastating wildland fires in 1970
and the San Fernando earthquake of
1971. legislation was passed that required
a community's General Plan to contain
a Safety Element to address wildland
and urban fires and a Seismic Safety Ele-
ment to address earthquake shaking and
other geologic hazards. In 1984, under
AS 2038, Seismic Safety Element require-
ments were consolidated with those 01
the Safety Element. Because many Safety
Elements failed to provide complete docu-
mentation of source infonnation and failed
to recognize all types. magnitudes, and
potential impacts of hazards (Mintier and
Stromberg. 1983: Smith. 1985), AS 890
was enacted in 1989. It requires each
city and county to consult DMG prior to
reviewing its General Plan and prior to
preparing or revising its Safety Element
for the purpose of including the most cur-
rent infonnation on geologic and seismic
hazards in the revised plans. The legisla-
lion also requires the agency to submit a
draft Safety Element to DMG for review
prior to adoption.

During a public comment period.

CEQA documents are sent to the State
Clearinghouse within the Wvemor's
Office of Planning and Research. From
there. they are distributed to the various
State agencies for review. DMG receives
docwnents that pertain to geologic, seis-
mic, and mineral resources issues through
the Resources Agency and the Depart-
ment of Conservation's Office of Govern-
mental and Environmental Relations. ERP
staff comment on geologic and seismic
hazards. potential damage from fault
movement and earthquake shaking. lique-
faction. landslides. settlement. unstable cut
and fill slopes, expansive soils, erosion,
Photo 2. Exploratory excavations tor lett abutment of Auburn Dam as originally proposed In
1979. then abandoned. The dam site was within the Foothills fault system and faults within
2 miles (3 km) of the project were determined to be capable of a M6.5 earthquake. DMG and
the Department ot Water Resource's Division ot Dam Safety participated in the 1979 seismiC
evaluation of the anginal dam site. DMG recently commented on seismic and mineral
resource issues contained In the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the American
River Watershed Investiga\lon. The new project proposes to build the flood control detentIOn
dam 500 yards downstream trom the previously proposed location to avoid potentiai fault
problems and to accommodate the Slate's design criteria ot 9 Inches (23 cm) of potenllal tault
displacement at the site. Photo by Trinda L. Bedrossian,

". CALIFORNIA GEOLOGY NOVEM8ERIDECEM8ER 1992


Photo 3. Recently·constructed two·story building at Olive View Hospltal in Sylmar, Los
Angeles County, where the second ltoor dropped to ground level during the 1971 San
Fernando earthquake. Photo courtesy of the Los AngeleS Times.
HOSPITAL AND SCHOOL SITE
REVIEW PROJECT
The Hospital and School Site Review
Pro}ect (HSSRP) ensures that geologic.
seismic. and geotechnical data in applica-
tions lor hospital. school. and essential
services structures submitted to the Office
of Statewide Health Planning and Devel·
opment (OSHPD) and the Department
of General Services. Office of the State
Architect (OSA) are accurate. complete.
and reflect state-of-practice knouiIedge. so
that these sensitive structures are properly
sited and designed. DMG staff also provide
recommendations to OSHPD and OSA
regarding State Buikling Code revisions.
Hospital Site Review
The Hospital Facilities Seismic Safety
Act. Health and Safety Code. was first
enacted in 1973 following the 1971
San Femardo earthquake. The earth-
quake caused damage to at least three
hospital buiklings resulting in 47 of the 65
deaths (Photo 3) (Greensfelder. 1971).
Under the Hospital Act. new hospital
structures must remain functional during
and after an earthquake. The governing
board of each hospital must submit build-
ing plan specifications and structural
design computations to OSHPD. includ·
ing an assessment of the nalure of the site
alx.! potential for earthquake damage.
OSHPD contracts with DMG for the
CALIFORNIA GEOlOGY
review of engineering geologic data and
determination of the adequacy of the site
evaluation reports submitted.
HSSRP staff review engineering ge0-
logic data submitted to OSHPD according
to requirements of Title 24 of the Califor·
nia Code of Regulations. California Build-
ing Code (CSC). and associated adminis'
trative regulations of OSHPD. The CBC
is revised every 3 years. based on changes
in the previous year's version of the
Uniform Building Code and State amend-
ments. Under the CBC. structures must
be designed and constructed to resist the
effects of seismic ground motions taking
imo account proximity to active faults.
the site geology and soil characteristics.
function of the structure (Le.. hospital.
emergency vehicle shelter). and building
configuralion (regular or irregular). Engi-
neering geologic reports dentify the ge0-
logic and seismic conditions tnat may
require pro;ect mitigation. and provide an
assessment of the nature of the site and
potential earthquake damage based on
investigations or the regional and site geol-
ogy. foundatbn conditions. and the poten-
tial seismic shaking at the site. HSSRP
reviews the reports to ensure that adequate
geologic investigations have been per-
formed and that knOVJll active and poten-
tiaDy active faults have been evaluated
HSSRP also reviews the reports for consid-
eration of slope stability at or near the
NOVEMeER/DECEMBERl992
site. and the liquefaction and settlement
potential of earth materials underlying
the foundation.
School Site Review
HSSRP staff review engineering geo-
logic reports for proposed school sites sub-
mitted to OSA under provisions of the Pleld
Act. as specified in the Education Code.
and administrative regtllations of OSA con-
tained in Tille 24 of the California Code 01
Regulations (see McCrink, thiS issue). The
Rekl Act was first enacted as an emergency
measure in April 1933. folloo.ving the 1933
Long Beach earthquake in which 70 school
buildings were destroyed. 120 suffered
major damage. and 300 had minor damage
(Meehan. 1982).
The FJekl Act applies to elementary
and secondary public schools and commu'
nity colleges; it does not apply to private
schools, slate colleges, or universities. The
Act requires OSA to approve aD plans and
specif)cations for every new school before
they are adopted by the school OOard. and
to inspect all public school construction. 1/
the prospective school site is located within
either 1) the boundaries of an Alquist Priolo
Special Studies Zone (Hart. 1990); or
2) an area designated as geologically haz-
ardous in the Safety Element of the local
General Plan for the site. a geologic study
and a soils analysis must be corKlueted to
assess the nature of the site and potential
for earthquake or other geologic hazard
damage. OSA may also request geologic
studies and soil analyses on school sites
located outside these study zones if there
is evidence that such studies are warranted
(Department of Education. 1989).
Since 1933. the performance of F"lekl
Act schools has been excellent. "There was
less than one percent property loss to pub-
lic school buildings during the M7.7 Kern
County earthquake of 1952 (Calvert and
Askin. 1971) and no Field Act schools
sustained sulfident damage to require
permanent closing after the 1971 M6.6
San Fernando earthquake (Tobin. 1992).
The Lorna Prieta School. near the epicen-
ter of the 1989 M7.1 earthquake sustained
only minor damage. while schools in the
vicinity of the 1992 LanderslBig Bear
earthquakes suffered no structural damage.
despite being sub;ected 10 unusually high
ground motions \\lith long duration and
severe seismic forces (OSA. 1992).
'"
Essential Services Buildings
An essential services buikling is a
building used or designed as a lire station,
police station. emergency operations
center. California Highway Patrol office.
sheriff's office. or emergency communica-
tions dispatch center. According to the
Essential Services Buildings Seismic Safety
Act of 1986 and administrative regulations
of OSA contained in Title 24 of the Cali-
fornia Code of Regulations. all plans and
specifications for new essential services
buildings, or any existing building con-
verted to essential services use. must be
submitted to OSA for review and approval.
HSSRP staff review geologic reports for
essential services buildings submitted
to OSA. Essential services buildings, as
designed and constructed. must be capable
of providing essential services to the public
after a disaster. Site data for all new essen-
tial selVices buildings. and existing build-
ings converted to essential services. must
include a soil investigation report and a
geologic and earthquake hazard report.
including an evaluation 01 both known and
potentially active local and regional fault
systems. slope stability. liquelaction poten-
tial. and other hazards.
MINED-LAND RECLAMATION
PROJECT
The Mined-Land Reclamation Project
(MLRP) provides technical assistance in the
review of mined-land reclamation plans
submitted to local agencies in compliance
with the Surface Mining and Reclamation
Act (SMARA). Because reclamation is
considered a project under CEQA. sepa-
rate CEQA documents are sometimes
required by local agencies in conjunction
with individual reclamation plans. DMG
routinely comments on proposed projects
affecting mine reclamation and provides
expertise in revegetation. hydrology. ero-
sion control. slope stability. and mining
engineering. MLRP staff also participate in
VJOrkshops. prepare articles and publica-
tions (Collins and Dunne, 1990; Evoy and
Holland. 1989; Newton and Laidel, 1992;
Van Kekerix and Kay, 1986). assist the
State Mining and Geology Board (SMGB)
and other agencies on issues involving
mined-land reclamation. and represent
California on the Western Governors'
Association Mine Waste Task Force.
SMARA Review
SMARA was enacted in 1975 to pro-
vide a means of locating and inventorying
CALIFORNIA GEOLOGY
'"
potential mineral resources throughout the
State and to provide for mine reclamation
dUring local land-use planning. SMARAs
locus is to: 1) prevent or minimize adverse
environmental effects and reclaim mined
lands to a usable condition which is read-
ily adaptable for altemative land uses;
2) encourage production and conselVation
01 minerals while giving consideration to
values relating to recreation. watershed,
wildlife. range and lorage. and aesthetics;
and 3) eliminate residual hazards to the
public health and salety. SMARA's mineral
resource conservation objective is achieved
through a mineral inventory and economic
assessment process termed "classification-
designation. ~ Infonnation on the location
of important mineral deposits is developed
by DMG's SMARA Oassification Project.
and used by the SMGB in designating
those deposits which are of economic
significance to a region, the State. or the
nation. Local govemments use this infor-
mation in developing mineral resource
management policies and in making land-
use decisions to assure the conservation
and development of these resources,
SMARA also provides for a coopera-
tive State and local program to assure that
the environmental impacts 01 mining
are minimized and that mined lands are
reclaimed to a useable condition (Photo 1).
SMARA reclamation requirements apply
to all lands in the State. including federally
managed lands (see Pirozzoli and Pompy.
this issue). Every mining operation in Cali-
fomia that plans to remove more than
1.000 cubic yards (765 m)) of material or
disturb more than 1 acre (4.047 m") must
have an approved reclamation plan in
accordance with SMARA prior to mining
operations. Plans fOlWarded to the MLRP
by lead agencies are reviewed to ensure
SMARA reclamation plan requirements
and SMGB regulations are met. Lead
agencies are advised of any infonnation
required by SMARA which is not in the
plans.
In 1987. changes to SMARA under
AB 747. provided a ~window~ lonoested
mining operators to file reclamation plans
to be in compliance with SMARA The
amendments reqUired that all vested
surface mining operations: \) have an
approved reclamation plan by July 1.
1990: 2) be pending an appeal with the
SMGB: or 3) have ceased operations if
they did not have an approved reclamation
plan. and remain closed until a reclamation
plan is approved. Since \990. MLRP staff
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 1992
have assisted the SMGB in the review of
41 reclamation plan appeals filed under
AB 747 provisions.
Recent changes in SMARA under
AB 3551 and AB 3903, effective January
1991. provide lor State review and appeal
of reclamation compliance issues (Newton.
1991). Many enforcement requirements
are implemented by the DOC's Office of
Mine Reporting and Reclamation Compli-
ance (OMRRq. Since passage of this new
legislation. MLRP. SMGB. and OMRRC
staff have been conducting reclamation
VJOrkshops for lead agencies and mine
operators to enhance understanding 01
respective responsibilities under SMARA
and to promote beller reclamation prac-
tices throughout the State. MLRP staff
have also assisted the SMGB and OMRRC
on issues related to reclamation compli-
ance. financial assurances. and the devel-
opment of reclamation standards.
Reclamation Standards
Revisions to SMARA. under AB 3551
and AB 3903, required the SMGB to
establish minimum. verifiable statewide
standards lor the reclamation of mined
lands. which apply to each mining opera-
tion to the extent they are consistent with
the planned or actual subsequent uses of
the mining site. During the past 2 years.
MLRP stall have worked closely with the
SMGB in the development and public
review of proposed regulations that estab-
lish minimum standards lor reclamation.
The regulations were adopted by SMGB in
September 1992. As required by SMARA.
the regulations set standards for: 1) wildlife
habitat; 2} backfilling. regrading. slope
stability. and recontouring: 3) revegetation:
4) drainage. diversion structures. water-
ways. and erosion control; 5) prime and
other agricultural land: 6) building. struc·
ture. and equipment removal: 7) stream
protection. including surface and ground-
water: 8) topsoil salvage. maintenance.
and redistribution: and 9) tailing and mine
waste. The regulations also acldress closure
of surface openings and clarify that finan-
cial assurances for reclamation shall be
consistent with both the approved reclama-
tion plan and the reclamation standards. to
the extent the standards apply to individual
mining operations.
Acid Mine Drainage
In July 1992. the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) contracted with
DMG lor a one-year study to evaluate the
utility of sunace geophysical techniques in
the detection and monitoring of ground-
water contamination from acid mine
drainage (AMD). AMD has been identified
as the largest single cause of adverse envi·
ronmental impacts resulting from mine
waste (University of California. 1988).
including the contamination of both sur-
face and ground water. AMD is particu-
larly difficult to manage because it fonns
slowly. is difficult or impossible to stop
once fanned, and requires treatment that
can be very expensive. Traditional meth-
ods used for detection. monitoring. and
delineation of ground-water contamination
rely on monitorir19 \A.lells which are expen-
sive to install and provide infonnation
only at the location of the well. However.
because AMD is generally associated
with an increase in the concentration of
heavy metals and other ionic species that
increase the specific conductance of both
surlace and ground water. it is possible
that the increase in specific conductance
could be used to map ground-water con-
tamination from AMD using geophysical
methods such as resistivity and geomag-
netics. Surlace geophysical methods could
provide a loI.v-c:OSt altematk.oe to monitor-
ing wells for the detection of AMD and
facilitate the location of wells for monitor-
ing purposes.
CALTRANS RECLAMATION
PLAN PROJECT
In May 1992. the California Depart-
ment of Transportation (CarTrans) con-
tracted with OOC/DMG to uJXlate reda-
mation plans for approximately 80 mine
sites (borrow pits) in [nyc and Mono coun-
ties and portions of Kern and San Bernar-
dino counties. 'The updated reclamation
plans will suggest mining and site rehabili-
tation procedures that meet statewide
standards and department goals. conserve
minerals. and minimize impacts on the
environment. Under this contract. DMG
staff conduct vegetation and wildlife sur-
veys. prepare revegetation plans. conduct
slope stability analyses. and recommend
mitigation and monitoring procedures
related to revegetation. hydrology. erosion
control. and slope stability. In addition.
DMG staff provide lead agencies with
infonnation needed to complete docu-
ments required by CEQA. To address
these issues. CaITrans Reclamation Plan
Project (CRPP) staff provide expertise in
plant ecology and revegetation. wildlife
biology. and engineering geology.
CALIFORNIA GEOLOGY
Reclamation Plan Preparation
Reclamation plans developed by
CRPP staff span a diverse environmental
gradient from the Mo;ave Desert to
the subalpine forests of the east Sierra
Nevada. Reclamation measures address
site specific issues such as arid·land reveg·
etation. and erosion and sediment control
for pristine subalpine stream corridors.
Through close coordination with other
State and federal agencies such as the
California Department of Rsh and Game
(CDFG). State Water Resources Control
Board (SWRCB), Bureau of land Man-
agement (BLM) and U.S. Forest Service
(USFS). the reclamation plans are pre-
pared in accordance with SMARA require·
ments, federal Best Management Prac-
tices. CEQA. and the SMGB regulations
for surface mining and reclamation prac·
tice. Updated reclamation plans lor
Carrrans will help guide the use of the
State's mineral resources 10 ensure a
safe and productive enVironment for
California's present and future genera-
tions. while allowing the development
and maintenance of a safe and effective
highway system. In addition. interagency
cooperation facilitates compliance with
State and federal laws and results in mon-
etary savings to the agencies involved.
Geologic Assessments
CRPP staff assess existing and pro-
posed pits to document geologic concli-
Pho10 4. ADMG engineern'lg geologIst surveys a CalTrans material site along Highway 120.
40 miles east of Lee Vining in Mono County. The information obtained 'rom this survey. along
With soil sample analySIS data and other flekl observations. wililleip determine the most
appropnate methods fOf site fegradmg and reclamation. Photo by RICk Wilson.
NOVEMBER DECEMBER 1992
lions. erosion potential. topography. and
drainage patterns (Photo 4). Geologic
inlonnation is used to analyze site hydrol-
ogy and slope stability. develop drainage
plans. address erosion and sediment con-
trol. and prepare drainage and erosion
plans to minimize the impacts of pro-
posed mining on sunace and ground
water quality. Information includes an
evaluation of the potential for erosion,
sedimentation. acid mine drainage. and
slope stability problems associated with
proposed mining and reclamation. CRPP
stall also develop site specific recommen·
dations for measures to prevent or mini-
mize adverse effects of mining and recla·
mation on the environment. Reclamation
plans for each site will include maps and
cross sections to show existing and pro-
posed reclaimed site configuration.
Biologic Assessments
TIle narrow seasonal window for
biologic surveys necessitated an immedi'
ate response by CRPP to conduct biologic
surveys for the first set of 40 pit sites
during the spring and early summer of
1992. Some of the sites were revisited
during the fall avian migration to lind out
if sensitive species had used them. These
surveys will fonn the basis for determining
project impacts to sensitive species and
for developing appropriate revegetation
plans. Reclamation plans include reveg-
etating lands disturbed by surface mining
'"
operations: methods for removing. stor- ates poIentia! environmental effects of neered structures. THPRP staff recom-
ing. and replacing topsoi.l: the use of soil logging practices In unstable environments. mend that a detailed geologic report be
amendments and fertilizers INhere appro- PaI'ticUar allention is given to exiSting and prepared by an engineering geoIogJc
priate: selection of suitable plant species proposed road alignments. areas of active consultant certified in California
and planting techniques: and care of veg- soil movement. stream crossings. pro-
etation reestablished following mining. posed logging on steep slopes. and areas Whether a plan is approved or diSap-
with high or extreme erosion hazard rat- proved, and what mitigation should be
TIMBER HARVESTING PLAN ings (Photo 5). With recent changes in included in the plan. is decided by recom-
REVIEW PROJECT the FPRs. additional emphasis is placed mendations from participants of lhe
on cumulative effects of a given THP on preharvesl inspection and public com-
DMG's Timber Harvesting Plan erosion and sedimentation in the water- ments received by CDF prior 10 a second
Review Project (THPRp) provides engi- shed(s) in which it is kxated (see Huber. review learn evaluation. In reaching a
neering geok:lgic r~ of Tunber Har- this issue). ll-iPRP staff confer IAlith the decision. CDF must address in writlflg
vesting Plans (THPs) submilled to CDF to foresters. bdogists. water ~ity special- aU environmental issues raised during
ensure jXlIenliallandslide. erosion. and ists. and Iogge:rs concerning jXlIentia! the review process. statements of n0n-
sedimentation areas are not adversely impacts and alternative methods of k:lg- concurrence by revi0N tearn members.
affected by road construction and other ging. Upon completion of the preharvest and recommendations of the review leam
timber harvesting operations. DMG ge0lo- Ilspection. ll-iPRP staff recommerv::I that are noc required in the final plan The
gists also serve on technical commillees mitigation measures based on engineer' lliP. the THP review process. and the
concerning forest practices. address the ing geology. prepare maps. and VJTite application of lhe FPRs are considered
Board of Forestry (BOA on issues relaled reports for each plan. decribing the find- the functional equivalent of EIR prepara-
to geologic and erosion hazards on timber- ings and explaining the recommendations. lion urder CEQA.
lands. conduct training on slope stability When geologiC conditions are particularly
and related geologic topics for CDF and severe or require mitigation using engi- In addition 10 making preharvest field
industry personnel, inspect geologic and inspections, THPRP staff make
erosional problems associated lollov.rup inspections of logged
with violations 01 the Forest areas that have geologic reviews
Practices Act (fPA). and prCNide and. when r~ed. conduct
exper1lNitness teslimony in court reviews of sites proJX)SOO under
actions involving CDF and BOF. COF Timber Sales. and California
FOfest ImprCM?ment and Vegeta·
THP Review ljon Managemenl Programs
More detailed reviews are pro-
Under the FPA of 1973.
vided for geoIogjc and landslide
ll-iPs are required for aU pr0-
hazard problems related to pr0-
posed timber harvesting on pri-
posed construction al CDF (ire
vate or State forest lands in Cali-
stations and CDF conservation
fornia. ll-lPs are submined to
(prison) camp sites. DMG staff
CDF in lieu of an ElR and are
also assist CDF in evaluating
reviewed by represenlives of
erosion control measures needed
CDF. CDFG. and the appropri-
following major wildland fires.
ate Regional Water Quality Con-
trol Board (RWQCB). The review Forest Practice Rules
learn screens the plans for con-
formance to all standards and The FPA assigns authority to
Forest Practice Rules (FPRs) that BOF to adopl ruJes alfec11flg
are in effect at the time the plan fore:SlJy and fire protection that
is submitted. For most plans. the COF must then enforce (MartIn.
review team requires a prehar- 19 9) BOF has appointro van--
vest ftekl inspection. An inspec- ous sulxonuniltees and task
tion by a DMG geok:lgist may forces 10 SI1.Jdy specific forest
also be requested if the THP is practice issues_ THPRP stall have
IOf geclogic terrain where slope participated on numerous BOF
stability problems may occur task (orces and suocommiltees
during road construction and related to watercourse and lake
limber harvesting (Huffman and PhOlO 5. During the !ield review of proposed TImber HaNesl· protection. logging roads and
mg Plans, THPRP staff address areas wllh high alld extreme
Bedrossian. 1979). CDF has landings. erosion control in gra·
erOSion hazard ratings. unstable stream banks and lalldsliding.
contracted with DMG since nitic terrain (Bedrossian. 1(91).
road constructIOn alld haNestlng on Sleep slopes. alld cumu·
1975 to make such r~. latlve effects related 10 erOS/Ofl and sedimentation. THPRP and landsliding/rnass waSlIflg
staff are prepanng an Inventory of efOSlVe walersheds thaI concerns. Most recently. THPRP
During the preharvest inspec- may be affected by timber harvesllng Photo by Tnnda L. staff haw provided inpulto CDF
tion. DMG identifies and evalu- """"",,,n and BOF regarding proJXlSed

"2 CALIFORNIA GEOlOGY NOVEMBER DECEMBER 1992

regulalions related to the evaluation of
cumulative effects and identificalion of sen-
sitive watersheds.
Watersheds Mapping
Since 1981. CDF has conlracted with
DMG 10 map geologic and geomorphic
fealures relaled to landsIiding in selected
north coast walersheds. The data are useful
in the preparation and review of THPs
and as a Iand-manager's guide for recogniz-
ing areas of potentially unslable ground
where on-sile geologic review is needed
prior 10 development. DMG is also compil-
ing an inventory of highly erosive water-
sheds In California lhat may be affected
by timber harvesting. The IA/Ork includes
development of a Geographic Infonnalion
System (GIS) and the preparation of maps
at a scale of 1:500.000 shooring the rela-
tive erosion sensitivity and hazard of indi-
vidual watersheds.
REFERENCES
Baker. DeAnn. Ferguson. J.M . Keene. K.A.,
Milligan. Pamela. Rlvasplata, Antero. 1987,
General plan guklelines: OfIice of Planning
and Research. Sacramenlo. 368 p.
8edrossian. T.l., 1991, Timber harvesllng In
grarlJllC lerrain, Grass Valley Creek. TnMy
County· CALIFORNIA GEOLOGY. v. 44,
no 11. p. 25Q.255.
Collins. Brian. and Dunne, Thomas, 1990,
FlUVial geomorphology and river-gravel
mining: A guide for planners. case sludies
included: California Department 01 Conser-
vation. Division of Mines and Geology,
Special Publication 98. 29 p.
Department of Educallon. 1989. SChool Slle
selection and approval guide: SChool
Facilities Planning Division. Sacramento,
34 p.
Evoy, Barbara. and Holland. Mel. 1989. Sur·
face groundwater managemenllfl surface
mll1ecl-land reclamalion California Depart·
menl 01 Conservation, DIVision of Mines
and Geology. Special Report 163, 39 p.
Greenslelder, Roger, 1971, SelsmologlC and
crustal movement investigations o! the
San Femando earthquake: CAliFORNIA
GEOLOGY. v 24. no. 4-5. p 62-68
Hart. EW.• 1990, Fault·Rupture haZard zones
in CaJitornia. Alquist-Priolo SpecIal Stud-
ies Zones Act 011972 With Index 10 Spe-
CIal Studies Zones maps: Calilornla Dlvi-
SIOfl 01 ~Jllnes and Geology Special Publi-
cat1Ofl42, Revised 1990.26 p.
Herson, A.l" 1987. EnVlfonmenlal perminiog
Expediting lhe NEPA process: Natural
resources & enVlfonmenl: Journal 01 the
Section 01 Natural Resources law of lhe
American Bar AssOCiatIOn. v. 2. no 3,
Winter. p. 13-15,46.
Huffman, M E_. and Bedrossian. TL. 1979.
The geologisrs role in timber harvest
planning' CALIFORNIA GEOLOGY. v 32,
no 6,p 115·119.
Koehler. Dave, 1991, Canada geese - A
sweet song IS back The Trust CUlrent.
News lor Summer 1991 from The San
Joaquin River Parkway and Conservation
Trust.
Martlfl. E.F.. 1989. "A tale 01 two certificales"'
The CalifornIa Foresl Practice Program
1976 through 1988: Calilornia Department
01 Forestry. 299 p
Meehan, J.F., 1982, PublIC school and hosPi-
lal budding geologIC hazard conslder-
alions. In Hart. E. W. Hlfschleld, S.E.,
and SChull. S.S.. editors. PrOCeedings:
Conference on earthquake hazards in lhe
eastern San Francisco Bay area, Calilor-
nia: California Department of Conserva-
tion, DlYtsion 01 Mines and Geology Spe-
cial PublICation 62. p. 387-391.
Mintier. J.L.. and Stromberg, P.A., 1983,
seismic salety altha local level: Does
planfllng make a difference?: CALIFOR-
NIAGEOLOGY. v. 36. no 7, p. 148·154.
Newton, Gail, 1991, Update on the Surface
Mining and Reclamation Act of 1975:
CALIFORNIA GEOLOGY. v. 44. no. 12.
p.288-29O.
Newton. Gail. and laldet. Laura, 1992. Nurs·
ery sources lor California nabvB p1anls
1992: California Department of Conserva-
!Ion. Division of Mines and Geology.
Open-Fde Report 90·04. 30 p.
OfIice 01 the State Architect 1992. Landersl
Big Bear earthquakes, Prehmmary
Repor1-Public Schools Unpublished
memorandum. 4 p.
Remy. M.H.• Thomas. T.A., Duggan. S.E.,
and Moose. J.G.. 1990. Guide 10 lhe
California Environmental Duality Act
(CEOA): Solano Press Books. Pomt
Arena. Calilofflla. 479 p.
Smith. T.C.• 1985. Geohazards inlormatlOn In
general plans: Problems and recommen-
dahons: Unpublished M.A. theSIS. Consor·
llum 01 the California Stale UniverSity and
Colleges. 61 p.
Ufllversily 01 Cafiforma, Berkeley. 1988. Min-
in9 waste study, final report: Unpublished
report, Mining Waste Siudy Team of U.C.
Berkeley. 416p.
Van Kekefl~.lorrame. and Kay. B.l., 1986,
AevegetatlOfl 01 diSlurbed land in CallIer·
nia: An element 01 mined·land reclama-
tion: Cahlorflla Department 01 Conserva·
tlon, CalifornIa DIVISion 01 Mines and
Geology. Open-File Report 86-14,105 p.

DMG Notes Useful in Preparation

of Environmental Documents
DMG
NOTE TiTLE

26 Surface Mining and Reclamation Act of 1975

42 Guidelines 10 GeoIogiclSeismic Reports
44 Guidelines for Preparing Engineering Geologic Reports
45 Guidelines for Geologic Reports for 11mber Ha1VCSting P1artS
46 Guidelines lor GeologiclSeismic Considerations irt EnvirOllmerttallmpact
Repo",
47 Guidelines lor Geologic Reports on Offshore Operations and Facilities
48 Checklists for the Review of Geologic/Seismic Reports for Hospitals
49 Guidelines for Evalualing lhe Hazard of Surface Fault Ruplure
AVAILABLE WITHOUT CHARGE
AT DMG OFFICES

CALIFORNIA GEOLOGY NOVEMBER DECEMBER 1992

'"
 Geologic Conditions at
Three Rancho Palos Verdes Subdivisions
Los Angeles County
JACK R. McMILLAN
Engineering Geologist
Division of Mines and Geology

INTRODUCTION oped because of geologic and OUler land- has been developed for residenllaJ and
use constraints. The projects proposed commercial use. However. a large portion

T his article describes three Palos

Verdes area subdivisions reviewed by
the Environmental Review Project (ERP)
for this area have benefited from the multi-
level (local. county. and State) review under
the California Environmental Quality Act
of the marine terrace along Palos Verdes
Drive South is open land.

(Hgure 1). These examples illustrate some
of the geologic condit)ons tnat can be
encountered and how they are addressed
in ERP review. The Palos Verdes area
was chosen because there are a number
of geologic: hazards on the Palos Verdes
Peninsula that have affected land use and
housing sulxHvisions in the past. The
ongoing demand for new housing has left
land developers and city planners examin-
ing properties that have not been devel-
(CEQA).
BACKGROUND
The city of Rancho Palos Verdes is on
the southern side of the Palos Verdes Pen-
ninsula about 25 miles (40 kml southwest
of dov.!ntoum Los Angeles. Since the city
was incorporated in 1973. much of the
hilly terrain along Hawthorne Boulevard.
Crest Road. and Palos Verdes Drive West
This land is undeveloped partly
because of a change in zoning density
which occured in 1975 and partly
because of past movement on the Por-
tuguese Bend. Abalone Cove. Klondike
Canyon. and Flying Triangle landslides.
The Portuguese Bend landslide is one of
the most studied and publicized landslides
in the area (EhUg and Keene. 1985).
Beginning in 1956. movement on this
landslide damaged or destroyed more

I~'l ",'~ ..

Figure 1. Location map showmg three subdivisions In the Palos Verdes area: Wiodport. TentatJVe Tract #46628. aod Forrestal. The Rancho
Palos Verdes (RPV) Redevelopment Project. FlYing Tnangle. Abalone Cove. Portuguese Bend. and Klondike Canyon landslides are also
shown. Modified from Ehlig. /992.

CALIFORNIA GEOLOGY NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 1992

than ISO private residences and disrupted
utilities and public roads. The ensuing
litigation cost taxpayers $7.5 million.
Los Angeles County has spent an addi-
tional $10 million to maintain public
streets in the Portuguese Berxl area be-
cause of the continued land movement
within the slKle complex (Scullin. 1990).
The city's Rancho Palos Verdes Redevel-
opment Project was started in 1984
arxl has be€n involved in stabilization
efforts in this area since then (Urban
Futures. Inc.. 1984).
In the past few years, several major
properties have become available for
development in Rancho Palos Verdes.
The type and scale of development repre-
sents a significant change in recent land-
use development. When the Division of
Mines and Geology (DMG) was reviewing
the three sulxlivisions discussed in this
article. Rancho Palos Verdes was process-
ing six development applications. They
range from single lot splits to large
mixed developments that may include
residences. apartments. recreation areas.
and golf courses. Because of the adverse
geologic conditions. slope instabilities are
an important consideration for city plan-
ners making land·use decisions.
REGIONAL GEOLOGY
The Palos Verdes Peninsula is a
topographically and structurally high block
of ground underlain by folded sedimentary
rocks of the Miocene Monterey Fonna-
tion (Figure 2). The peninsula is 9 miles
(14 kmllong and 5 miles (8 km) wide
Metamorphic
Rocks
11I111I11I11
OFFSHORE
FAULT
Figure 2. $dlemallc prohle through the Palos Verdes Peninsula.
CALIFORNIA GEOlOGY
with a maximum elevation near 1.480
feet (450 mI. The middle Miocene and
younger bedded sedimentary rocks
exposed on the peninsula are faulted and
folded over a core of Mesozoic Catalina
Schist basement rock. Basaltic rocks are
exposed in several areas along the sea
cliffs and in association with volcanic
rocks (andesite) in the peninsula's interior.
The bedrock is overlain by various units
including terrace material. alluvial depos-
its. and artificial fill. The peninsula slopes
are cut by a series of marine terraces and
terrace remnants that stairstep along the
peninsula flanks. The terraces are best
defined and most extensively preserved
on the west and south slopes. Thirteen
principal terrace levels have been recog-
nized by Woodring and others (1946).
Massive ground failures occurred on
the peninsula during Holocene and late
Pleistocene time after weak layers within
the bedded rocks were saturated from
long periods of rainfall. In places. the
landslides have signifkantly modified and
reshaped the landscape and topography.
SITE CONDITIONS
The four most common geologic
hazards in Rancho Palos Verdes are land
settlement. shoreline cliff erosion, active
landslides. and inactive landslides
(Envicom. 1975).
Lond settlemenl is the compaction
of unconsolidated soils over time. Com-
paction is often caused by foundation
loading. the settlement of unengineered
Palos Verdes Hills
Los Angeles Basin
..... -
Se(/;
-
- ............
...... frIef//a
......
Metamorphic
Rocks
1111111I1111I1
PALOS VERDES
FAULT
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 1992
and weak fill. or the loss of lateral support
on slopes. City grading codes and inspec-
tion are generally an effective guard against
this type of hazard.
Shoreline cliff erosion results from
continued wave erosion at the cliff bases.
Numerous small-scale failures have led the
city to establish setback requirements to
protect developments that extend to the
cliff edges.
Active landslides are areas with
extremely unstable ground unsuitable
for residential development. They are
restricted in the city's General Plan by
designating them as open space or hazard
areas.
Inactive landslides are areas
where massive downslope movement has
occurred. but the landslide material is not
presently moving. Movement in these
inactive areas cook! be triggered by long
periods of rainfall. seismic shaking. con-
struction activities. or drainage changes
that unbalance the groundwater conditions.
TIle following infonnation was taken
primarily from recent CEQA documents
submitted through the Slate Clearinghouse
for public agency review.
Windpon Project
The Windport Project is a proposed
single-family residential. four-lot subdilJision
on 8.8 acres (3.5 hectares) originally zoned
as an open-space hazard area. ApprOXi-
mately one-half of the site VJill be rezoned
NORTHEAST
--
----
ry
--
...... ...... ROCks
- - - - - ....
-----~
------
--
'75
to residential use as part of the project;
the rest will remain an open-space hazard
area. lhe proposed building sites are at
the end of Wlndport Drive along the
north side of Aqua Amarga Canyon. This
section of the canyon was filled during
the late 19505 and early 19605; there is
minimal information on the composition
and placement of the fill. lhe building
sites are bordered on the south by a
gutted stream channel and on the west
by a steep. west-facing fill slope more
than 100 feet (30 m) high. lhe area
has undergone settlement because of
the WlConsolidated nature of the under-
lying fill.
The geotechnical reports for this
project indicate the property has two
major geologic problems: 1) lhe mate-
rial overlying the bedrock consists of shal-
low landslide deposits and up to 120 feet
(35 m) of non-engineered artificial fill; and
2) the bedrock underlying the fill is folded
into a syncline with its north limb dipping
12-14 degrees toward the south. oblique
to the fill sk>pe's face (Jim Hinzdel and
Assoc.• 1991). lhe slope stability concli-
tions are complicated by the unknovJn
nature of the fill and the Jack of a sub-
drain system.
Geotechnical investigations of this
site began in 1987 and have continued
through a number of reports and reviews.
In July. 1991. the Draft Environmental
Impact Report (DElR) determined the site
is suitable for the proposed development
provided that a number of recommenda-
tions are follO'J.Jed. These recommenda-
tions include a driUed pier and beam foun-
dation design. sizing requirements for the
piles. removal and recompaction of a
portion of the fill on the lots. and supple-
mental inspection of the drilled piers
and foundation rock during construction.
A minimum 01 two piezometers and a
settlement marker would be installed dur-
ing construction to enable water level and
compaction monitoring of the fill.
conditions were sufficient to limit develop-
ment on the artificial fill area and an advi-
sory review letter was sent to the lead
agency during the CEQA review period.
lhe City Council denied this proJect in
October 1991. based primarily on plan-
ning staff concerns about exces'sive
settlement.
Forrestal Project
lhe Forrestal ProJect consists of
42 single-family lots and four open-space
lots on 2\ acres (8 hectares) of a 163·acre
(66-hectare) site. It is east of Klondike
Canyon in Rancho Palos Verdes and
partially within the Rancho Palos Verdes
Redevelopment Pro)ect. Part of the
pro)ect is on an old quarry site.
One ob;ective of the proJect is 10
grade the area to stabilize the slopes and
alleviate hazards associated with a near-
vertical quarry wall (Photo 1). The neces-
sity of cutting back the quarry slope was
analyzed in the ElR.
lhe preferred grading solution pro-
posed remedial grading of the existing
quarry slope to decrease the risk of rock-
fall and increase the safety of hikers along
the upper bluffs. The upper slope appears
to be made of colluvium and perhaps
weathered rock (Photo 2). The proposed
cut \A1OUki Rallen the lower slope and
undercut Ihe natural upper slope above
the quarry.
lhe original E1R was prepared in
1979. A Supplemental ElR was prepared
in 1991 to analyze potential impacts of
remedial grading and stabilization and
to assess the environmental impacts of
the past 10 years of local development.
After reviewing the project. DMG felt that
CUlling back the toe of the upper slope
could destabilize the material and lead
to downslope movement on the upper
slope. DMG recommended that the char-
acter and stability of the material on the
natural slope above the quarry face be
addressed as part of the overall slope
hazard assessment in the Final EIR. Mea-
sures should be proposed to ensure the
material on the upper slope remains in
place after the rock face is cut back.
The Forrestal Pro;ect was denied by
the City Council in July 1992. The land-
owners have filed suit against the city.
and the council is currently involved in
a court supervised settlement procedure
(Carolynn Petru. City Planning. oral
communication. 1992).
Vested Tentative Tract #46628
Tentative Tract 1146628 is a 132-
acre (53-hectare) single-family residential
development just north of Poinl Vkente.
The site is an extensive marine terrace
along the west side of Palos Verdes Drive
West. Geologic concerns include cliff
slope erosion and the possibility of large.
undetected landslides.

DMG revie\.lt€d the DEIR for this

project and concluded thai the cumulative
effect 01 the geologic conditions has cre-
ated a potentially unstable fill that will fail
under saturated conditions when accom-
panied by earthquake shaking. Also. the
adverse dip of the underlying bedrock
presents an unknown hazard to the pro-
posed deep foundations. DMG felt the Photo 1. Near-vertical quarry slope at the Forrestal Project. Photo by J.R. McMillan

CALIfORNIA GEOLOGY NOVEMBER' OeCEMBER 1992

'"

Photo 2. Natura! slope above the quarry lace. Note the break in slope. Photo by
J .R. McMIllan.
Geologic exploration began on this
propeny in the mid-1950s when geologic
investigation was conducted for the origi-
nal propeny owners (Jahns. 1957). In
1972. after additional geologic explor-
ation. the tract was approved for grading
by Los Angeles County since Rancho
Palos Verdes was not yet incorporated.
While grading was in progress. Los
Angeles County was sued by local resi-
dents who claimed that the housing den-
sity approved for the subclilJision was in
violation of the county's General Plan
(lmpacl Sciences, Inc.• 1991). In subse-
quent litigation, the court ruled in the
Ehbg, PL.. and Keene. AG_. 1986. Landslides
ot the Palos Verdes Peninsula. Calirornla in
Ehl,g, P.L. edllor, Landslides and landslide
m'tlgatlOTl ,n southem California (guide'
book): 82nd Annual Meeting ot the Cofd,lle·
ran Secl!On or Amenca. Los Angeles, Cali-
rornla, 1986,p 195·201
Ehlog. PL.. 1992, EvolullOn, mechanICS. and
m'togallOn ot the POl1vguese Bend Land·
shoe Palos Verdes Peninsula, Cahtomla In
Engoneenng prachce on southern Callrornla
AssocoallOTl ot Englr'l&eong GeologIStS.
Southern Califorllla SeellOn, Special publl·
cation No 4. p 531·553.
Envocom Corporation, 1975. TechOlcal data
base ror seism~ sarety and publIC safety
gen9fal plan elements. Cltoes ot Rancho
Palos V8foes, Rolling HIllS ESlales, and
RoIhng Holls. lOOp
CALIFORNIA GEOlOGY
plaintiffs' favor and the county directed
the nearly-oomplete grading to be halted.
The geologic evaluation of the prop-
erty for the latesl proposed development
incllXled approximately 90 borings. The
geologic structure was louOOIO contribule
significantly to the slope stability aOO the
site was detemlined to be adequate for
the proposed development.
DMG commented on the dill stability
hazard during Ihe Notice of Preparation
stage of the CEQA documentalion. ThaI
REFERENCES
Impact SCIences. Inc., 1991. Draft Enwonmen·
lallmpacl Report no 35 tOf vesllng lenla-
lIve Irac1"46628: State Cleannghoose No
91031057
Jahns. R H.. 1957, Geology or tracl no. 19743.
Palos Verdes Hills. Los Angeles County.
CahforOia In Impacl ScIences, Inc,. 1991,
Draft EnVlronmenlal Impact Repol1 no 35
tor vestmg lenlatlve Iracl #46628 Slale
Cleannghouse No 91031057
Jim Hmzdel and ASSOCIates. Inc., 1991. Draft
EnVironmentallmpaet repofl no 31 for
lenlatlve parcel map no 18947, GR
• 1460: State Cleannghouse No. 91031087
Planning and DeSIgn SoluIlQllS, 1991. Supple·
mental EnvIronmental Impact Report lenta·
\lVe Iract no 37885 (Fofrestal PfO,ect)
Slate Cleannghoose No. 90011 1II
NOVEMBER OECEMBER 1992
issue was addressed using a coastal set-
back line during project development. At
the DEIR stage. the Division reviewed the
M
document and returned a "no comment
reply on the basis that the site investiga-
tion contained adequate geoIogk data to
ensure publk safety from the geologic
hazards, This project was approved by the
City Council in March 1992 and is pend-
ing the recording of the fmal map.
Observations and Conclusions
Unlike local review agencies. the
Division's ERP reviews projects from
throughout the State. Therefore DMG can
help standardize the geologic INOrk done
on projects and ensure a more even com-
pliance with CEQA. In this role. ERP
staff have an opportunity to examine
the practical geologic techniques used in
counties like Los Angeles and apply those
standards to counties VJith less geologic
expertise.
In the previous examples, some of the
complexities of the Palos Verdes area have
been examined and the geologic review
process described. Environmental review
at the State level can be a valuable compo-
nent of multi-level review. HOO'e\Ier. a
clear picture of the project must be pre-
sented in CEQA documents. TIle prob-
lems, mitigations. and geotechnical data
must be VJeIi organized and complete lor
proper review. DMG"s objective is 10 work
with lead agency staff to ensure the project
is safe aOO environmentally sound. aOOthe
mitigations are appropriate for local aOO
cumulative site coOOitions.
SCullin. M C.. 1990. E~cavallon and grading
code admlfllSlratlon, InSpecllOn and en·
forcement: PrentICe·Hall. Inc.. 405 p.
Urban Futures. Inc.. 1984. Rancho Palos
Verdes Redevelopment ProJect: Draft
EnVIronmental Impact Report, Slate Clear·
Inghouse No. 8408151 1,
Vondef LJnden. Karl. and Lindvall. C.E.• 1982,
The Portuguese Bend landslide: landslideS
and landslide abalement Palos V9fOOS
Peninsula, southern Cahtornia: AssocIa·
tlon ot Englneenng GeologislS. Soulhem
Calirornia SeeIIOTl. p 49·56.
Woodnng, W.P.. Bfamlene. M.N.. and Kew .
W S.W. 1946. Geology and paleontology
of Palos Verdes Hills. California: U.s.
GeologICal StJrvey Protesslonal Paper 2fJ7.
145 p .. 37 plates.
 _u··,·
Geologic Hazards
at the New Bay
Farm Island
Bementary School $AH ~AlLO

'"
Alameda County Ns.,•.'
TIM McCRINK. Engineering Geologist
Division of Mines and Geology
o 5 10 Millts
cl----''--,r--",
o
"""'" ..".. I
10 Kilometer.
INTRODUCTION

T
'[~UL(1
he Hospital and School Site Review
Project (HSSRPj of the California I
, ...o."'l.U
Division of Mines and Geology lOMG) I
reviews geologic and seismic hazards
investigations for elemenla'Y and middle
schools under contract to the Office of
Ihe Slate Architect (GSA). One project
recently reviewed by HSSRP was ....,. +11---....!7"'----"- li""'~-
Alameda Unified School District's New
Bay Fann Island Elementary School on
Bay Fann Island (Figure 1). In addition r---+~'
to being close to several active faults.
the school design was influenced by
some unusual subsurface conditions
iocluding the presence of Young Bay
.,
-'-_.
~.

Figure 1. Map ot the san Fraf1ClSCO Bay region showing the approximate location
Mud. hydraulically placed sand fill. and of the New Bay Farm Island Elementary School. Modified from Goldman. 1969.
buried deslroyoer-class Navy warships.

GEOlOOIC SETTING
Bedrock beneath the project site is
Jurassic 10 Cretaceous Franciscan assem-
blage. North of the project site. along the
alignment of the San Francisco-Oakland
Bay Bridge. bedrock is composed of felds-
pathic sandstone. graywacke. siltstone,
shale. interbedded chert and shale. and
various types of basic and u1trabaslc igne-
ous rocks. altered to greenstone and ser-
pentine. This formation was severely
deformed. faulted. and eroded to a sur-
face of considerable relief. then covered
VJith sediment.
The bay sediments consist 01 five
formations of late Quaternary age: the
Alameda Formation. San Antonio Forma-
tion. Posey Formation. Merritt Sand. and
Young Bay Mud rrrask and Rolston.
1951).lhe Pleistocene Alameda Forma-
tion. which can be more than 200 feet
(60 m) thick. consists of layers of firm
sand. sandy clay. and clay. According to
Rogers and FJgUers (1991). the upper
Alameda appears to be a mixture of
marine estuarine and continental alluvial
sediments. while the lower Alameda is
composed of a thicker continental facies.
The San Antonio Formation is 15 to
120 feet thick (5 10 37 mI. and consists
of clay. silty clay. and some sand rrrask
and Rolston. 1951). Radbruch (1957.
1969) separated the basal marine clay
from the overlying alllNial facies. Sloan
(1981) redesignated the basal clay as
~Yerba Buena Mud.~
The Merritt Sand is an aeolian sand
deposited on an eroded surface during
late Wisconsin time. It is a shallow fresh-
water aquifer that is exposed across most
of Alameda and Oakland. It is absent
where ercx:led by Holocene channels.
and is often covered by Young Bay Mud
where it dips below sea level (Rogers
and FIguets. 1991).
The youngest geologic unit in the
East Bay is the Holocene Young Bay
Mud. These marine clays infiJIed late
Wisconsin age channels as sea levels
rose 6.000 to 11.000 years ago. The
mud reaches its greatest thickness of
150 feet (46 mI. between Hunters Point
and the San Francisco Embarcadero
(Rogers and FJguers. 1991). In the vicin-
ity of Bay Fann Island the Young Bay
Mud ranges in thickness from 20 to
50 feet (61015 m) (Golclman. 1969).
Sloan (1992) studied borehole
samples drilled in 1969 from a proposed
bridge alignment thaI was to run from
Hunters Point in San Francisco to Bay

". CALIFORNIA GEOLOGY NOVEMBER DECEMBER 1992

Figure 2a. LocatIOn of
boreholes across San
FranciSCO Bay along the
Southern Crossing.
MOlilfied from Sloan,
1992.

o $ 1 Mil.
"
A ~~-r;~''-r-"''::::;;K.lo.... '."

122 22'30' 122 15

I.
.
•
:[
20

JO

.
~

"':>
j 150
,§
.
~
w
Figure 2b. Sediments beneath
_ Holo(:ene 8S1uarine doposits southern San FranCISCO Bay along
• Uppel PleisIoceneJHoloc:el aeolian the Southern Crossing. Modified
_ Uppa' PeisloceoelHoloc8l'llllluv,al from Sloan. 1992.
_ Yerba Buena Mud
_ Pleisloe&ne slluviallflluanno

Farm Island on the east side of the bay. site. "The Hayward. San Andreas. and
As shown in Figure 2. this work indicates Calaveras faults are the most significant.
that the stratigraphic sequence underlying The table 10 the right shOVJS the shortest
Fault Distance Histone EO
the New Bay Farm Island School site is distance from the school site to these
(km) Year Mag.
Pleistocene aliuviaVestuarine Alameda faults. and lists the significant historic
Fonnation overlain by Verba Buena Mud, earthquakes that have occurred on HAYWARD
which is unconformably overlain by upper each (Toppozada and others. 1981; North Sag. 7 '836 6.8
PleistoceneMoiocene aeolian sand Slemmons and Chung. 1982). 1898 6.2
(Merritt Sand). Holocene estuarine sedi- South 5eg. 11 '868 6.8
ments (Younger Bay Mud) overlie the Earthquake planning scenarios have
sequence. been prepared for the effects of large SAN ANDREAS 22.5 1838 7.•
earthquakes on the San Andreas (Davis 1865 6.3
ACTIVE FAULTS AND SEISMICITY and others. 1982) and Hayward faults 1906 8.•
(Steinbrugge and others. 1987). These
CALAVERAS 24.5 1861 5.5106.0
There are active faults in the San planning scenarios indicate the school
\979 6.•
Francisco Bay region which cook! affect site cook! expect M<X!ified Mercalli
the proposed ew Bay Farm Island School ground-shaking intensities of VIII to IX.

CALIFORNIA GEOLOGY NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 1992 ,,,

 BRIEF HISTORY OF THE SITE

Prior to deYelopment. Bay Fann I

Island was a tidal flatland, Levees were
constructed and much of the island was
fanned in the early part of the 20th cen-
tury. However. these Jevees were prone
to failure by wave action and there are
records of inundation of the fannland.
Na"'Y destroyers, sold as scrap probably
in the 19205 or 19305. IJJere used as
breakwaters. Ten ships VJere placed end-
to-end along the northwest end of Bay
Fann Island. These ships can be observed
on air photos taken prior to 1966. when
hydraulic filling began.

The class 01 deslroyer believed to be

buried at Bay Fann Island was knO\.Vl1 as
the "four-piper fluslldeck· for its charac-
teristic four exhaust stacks and relatively
low profile (see photo). The largest class
01 destroyer built before Work:! War II. it
was 314 feet (96 m) long and 30.5 feet
(9 m) wide. The depth of the hull was
18 feet (5 mI. \Alith a maximum draft of
12 feet (4 m) and 6 feet (2 m) of free-
board. The hull was made of 1/4-lnch
(0.6 em) steel that was lightly plated to
inhibit corrosion (Edward Vanderport.
Treasure Island Museum, oral communi-
cation. 1991).
Hydraulic Filling of New Bay
Farm Island
Hydraulic filling of the northVJe$t
portion of Bay Fann Island began in late
1966. The process usually requires the
creation of earth embankments. After-
ward. sand can be hydraulically pumped.
in this case from the San Francisco Bay
to the area behind the embankments.
and allO\4led to drain. People familiar with
the filling of Bay Fann Island say that
the only compactive effort applied to the
sand was the occasional movement of
bulldozers over the fill.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE SUBSURFACE
CONDITIONS TO SEISMIC HAZARDS
There are three reasons why seismic
ground shaking is a Significant consider-
ation at this site. Rrst is the potential for
amplification of seismic energy by the
underlying Young Bay Mud. The amplifi-
cation of seismic waves was well docu-
mented in the San Francisco Bay area
following the 1989 Lorna Prieta earth·
quake (&rchardt and Hough. 1989).
World War I era Navy destroyer. Photo courtesy of Treasure Island Museum,
Second is the potential for liquefaction
of the sandy hydraulic fill materials on
the site. Similarly placed mateTialliquefied
at Treasure Island. the Oakland Harbor.
Alameda Naval Air Station. and the
Oaklancllntemational AiT]X>rt in 1989.
Rnally. it is uncertain how the buried ships
1.UOl1IcI respond to strong earthquake shak-
ing. and what effect they VJOUkl have on
structures built above them.
EVALUATION OF GEOLOOtC HAZARDS
1be California Department of Educa-
tion. recognizing the unusual subsurface
conditions at this school site. asked GSA
to pass the report to DMG for a review of
potential geologic hazards. In the spring of
1990. GSA requested that HSSRP review
the proposed project.
First Review
Uke most projects reviewed by
HSSRP, this project involved a two-step
review. The first report submitted for
review was a "Geologic Hazards and
FeaSibility Foundation Investigation" pre-
pared for the Alameda Unified School
District. [n this first report. the pro;ect
consultant identified the main geologic
and seismk: hazards. and presented the
school district \Alith foundation alterna-
tives. The report also recommended that
more detailed subsurface investigation be
conducted at the site.
HSSRP recommended that subse-
quent investigations should identify the
horizontal and vertical extent of the buried
ships. evaluate the potential for soillique-
faction as well as discuss what effect the
October 1989 Lorna Prieta earthquake
had on the site. and evaluate the potential
for seismic seulement and differential
compaction, The potential for site amplifi-
cation was noted as an issue that should
be addressed.
Second Review
HSSRP received copies of subse-
quent investigation rep:l1ts in January
1991, These reports included an updated
geologic hazards evaluation. a geotech-
nical investigation. and a detailed investi-
gation of the Iocatlon of the buried
destroyers.
The consultant studied the site using
aerial photographs taken between 1947
and 1988. The location of the destroyers
was detennined by a magnetometer study
and by drilling 68 soil borings. The con-

CALIFORNIA GEOlOGY NOVEMBER DECEMBER 1992

'"
sultant proposed to mitigate the potential
for soil liquefaction and long-term differ-
ential settlement by driving erKl-bearing
piles to firm alluvium at depths of 45 to
70 feet (14 to 21 mI. Building founda-
lions were proposed to span the buried
ships to avoid having to drive piles
through the ship hulls. The piles were
specially designed to withstand excessive
bending without damage. because lique-
faction of the upper IS to 20 feet (5 to
6 m) of the site soils during a major earth-
quake would result in very Umited lateral
resistance to such movement.
HSSRP review included a reconnais-
sance-level magnetometer survey by
DMG geophysicists on the portion of
the sHe northwest of the existing buried
ships. This area is obscured by bay water
in DMG air photos taken in 1939 and
the consultant"s geophysical survey did
not incll.de this area. DMGs magnetom-
Borchardt. A.D.. and Hough. S.E.. t989,
Mud may have contributed to collapse of
the Nimitz Freeway dunng Loma Prieta
earthquake: Earth in Space, v. 2, no. 4.
December 1989.
DavIs, J. F.. Bennen. J, H.. Borchardt. G. A.,
Kahle, J. E.. RICe. S. J" and Silva. M. A.,
1982. Earthquake planning scenario for a
magnitude 8.3 earthquake on the San
Andreas fault in the San Francisco Bay
area: California Division of Mines and
Geology Special Publication 61. 160 p.
Goldman. H. B., editor. 1969. GeologIC and
60glneenng aspects of San FranCISCO
Bay fill: California DiviSion of Mines and
Geology Special Report 97, \30 p.
Radbruch. D.H.. 1957. Areal and engineer-
ing geology of the Oakland West Quad·
rangle: U.S. GeologICal Survey Map
1-239. scale 1:24,000.
Radbruch, D.H., 1969, Areal and engilleenng
geology of the Oakland West Quad-
rangle: U.S. Geological Survey Map GO-
768, scale 1:24.000.
CALIFORNIA GEOLOGV
eter survey was conducted to determine
if metallic debris or other delectable
obstructions were hidden from view on
the air photos, or emplaced after 1939,
DMG's survey shovJed no large anoma-
lies that would indicate that additional
subsurface investigations were needed
northwest of the buried ships.
DMG also evaluated the possibility
that the buried ships might still contain
large water-filled spaces due to incom-
plete hydraulic filling. DMG"s concern
was that these void spaces could cause
the ships to shift or could induce signifi-
cant surface selliement during a large
earthquake. Experts at the Treasure
Island Naval Museum believe that the
ships were signifk:antly stripped. leaving
several large openings in the deck at
the time these ships were buried. With
the exception of fuel and water tanks.
and perhaps VJhere there are double
REFERENCES
Rogers. J.D., and Figuers. S.H.. 199\, Site
stratigraphy elfects on soil amplificatIOn In
the vicinity 01 Oakland. California: Pro-
ceedings. Foorth International Confer-
ence on Seismic Zonallon, August 25-29,
1991, Stanford University: Earthquake
Engineering Research Institute, Oakland.
p.343-350.
5lemmons, D. B" and Chung, D. H., \982.
Mcl)umum credible earthquake magni·
tudes lor the Calaveras and Hayward
!ault zones, Califomla in Hart, E.W"
Hirschleld. S,E.. and SChulz. 5.5.. edi·
tors. Proceedings: Conlerence on Earth-
quake hazards In the eastern San Fran,
cisco Bay area: Calilornla DIVISIOn of
Mines and Geology Special Publication
62, p. 115·134.
Sloan, Doris, 1981, Ecostratigraphic study 01
Sangamon sediments beneath central
San Francisco Bay: Ph.D. dissertation In
Paleontology. University of California.
Berkeley. 1981.
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 1992
hulls. it would have been diffiruh for
large voids to have developed (Edward
Vanderport. Treasure Island Museum.
oral communication. 1991). This indio
cates there is a Ioo.v potential for signifi-
cant effects caused by voids in the ships.
HSSRP's second review of the
site Included an evaluation of the
consultant's reports. as lNCli as air photo.
magnetometer. and historical information.
1he data presented by the consultant. as
lNCll as that gathered by H$SRP in its
second review. indicated a comprehen·
sive investigation had been conducted
for this project. and that the proposed
foundation system would likely be the
best to inhibit structural damage during
a major earthquake. On this basis.
HSSRP recommended to OSA that no
further study would be nC(;essary for
this project.
Sloan. Doris, 1992, The Yerba Buena Mud:
record of the last·interglacial predecessor
of the San Francisco Bay, Califorma:
GeologICal Society 01 America Bulletin,
V. 104. p. 716-727.
SteinbfUgge, K. V.. Bennett, J. H., Lagono,
H. J" Davis, J. F.. Borchardt. Glenn. and
Toppozada. T. R" 1987, Earthquake
planning scenario for a magnitude 7.5
earthquake on the Hayward Fault Ifl the
San Francisco Bay area: Califomla Divi-
sion of Mines and Geology Special Publi-
cation 78. 243 p.
Toppozada, T. R.. Real. C. R.. and Parke. D.
L.. 1981, Prepardtion of isoseismal maps
and summanes 01 reported effects for pre-
1900 California earthquakes: Cahfornla
Division of Mines and Geology Open·File
Repon81-11 SAC. 182p.
Trask. P.O., and Rolston. J.w., 1951, Engl'
neenng Geology 01 San Fraoosco Bay,
California: Geological Society of Amenca
Butletin. v. 62. p. 1079·1110.
'"
 Implementing an
Award Winning
Reclamation
Plan at Castle
Mountain Mine
San Bernardino County
LYNN A. PIROZZOU. Vice President
Environmental and Government Affairs
Castle Mountain Venture
aod
JAMES S. POMPY
Mined-Land Reclamation
Program Manager
Division of Mines and Geology
INTRODUCTION
A Pproval of a reclamation plan is pre-
requisite to mining in California. The
Mined-land Reclamation Project (MLRP)
provides technical assistance in the review
of reclamation plans. Plans are reviewed
by MLRP to determine il they include
mandatory information and are techni-
cally sound. This article highlights the
implementation of the reclamation plan
for Castle Mountain Mine. Redamation is
proceeding according 10 a plan approved
by San Bernardino County. Prior 10
its approval, the plan was enhanced to
refJed input by MLRP.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Castle Mountain Mine is in the Mojave
Desert about 100 miles (160 kin) east of
Barstow. California. and about 70 miles
(110 kin) south of Las Vegas. Nevada.
The project encompasses approximately
2.620 acres (10 kin:?) of Bureau of Land
Management (BLM) property and 115
acres (46 hectares) of patented mining
claims. Elevations range from 4.100 to
5.100 feet (1.250 to 1.555 m). Precipita~
tion averages 8 inches (20 em) per year.
Temperatures range from below freezing
during the occasional cold snap in the
winter. to as high as 110 degrees (43 oq
during the summer.
CALIfORNIA GEOLOGY
'"
Search Light
Access Road
Castle Mountain Mine layout.
Viceroy Resource Corporation
acquired control of the Castle Mountain
Project in I985. On March 7. 1991.
Viceroy Gold Corporation. a wholly
owned subsidiary of Viceroy Resource
Corporation. entered into a venture
with MK Gold Company. a subsidiary
of Morrison Knudsen Corporation.
Castle Mountain Venture was fonned
with MK Gold receiving a 25 percent
participating interest upon payment
of $17.5 million, Viceroy retains a
75 percent interest as manager of Castle
Mountain Venture.
Castle Mountain Mine is a typical
open-pit heap-leach gold operation.
Groundbreaking ceremonies for the
1OO.OOO-ounce-per-year Castle Mountain
Mine were held on April 15. 1991.
Proouction is anticipated to continue
through the year 2000. with potential
for extension of operations for several
additional years. The deposit consists
of two distinct are b<x1ies: the Lesley
Ann and the Oro Belle (see illustration
above).
NOVEMBERIDECEMBER 1992
Crushing
Ar ••
OVERBURDEN
DISPOSAL
,I-O __~':OOO;::_,..:2~0?0
,
Feet
o 500 Meters
Blasling is used to break up ore
and consolidated overburden. Mining is
done with a fleet consisting of 8~ and
10-cubic-yard (6- and 8-m3) hydraulic
shovels. a 13-cubic-yard (lO-m:l) front-end
loader, and haultNcks ranging in size
from 85-10 125-ton (77- to 113-metric-
ton) capacity. Overburden is hauled to
a disposal site just south of the Lesley
Ann pit. Approximately 55 million tons
(50 million metric tons) of overburden
and 25 million tons (23 million metric
tons) of ore will be mined. Average grade
for the deposit is 0.047 ounces per ton
(0.052 ounces per metric ton) based on
a 0.015 cutoff grade.
Ore is crushed at a rate of 8.000 tons
(7.250 metric tons) per day and conveyed
to heap-leach pads west of the ore depos-
its. The pads are constNcted in a series
of 15- to 20-foot (5- to 6-m) lifts placed
over synthetic liners. Drip irrigation tech-
nology is used to apply a dilute cyanide
solution evenly over the surface of the
pads. Microscopic gold is dissolved in the
cyanide solution as it percolates through
the heap (Photo 1).
 A piping collection system is used to
recover the gold-laden solution from the
heaps and deliver it to the pregnant solu-
tion tanks. Most heap-leaching operations
use open leachate ponds for solution
storage. Open solution storage ponds can
aUract wildlife and lead to mortalities.
Viceroy engineered a fully enclosed sys-
tem using sealed steel tanks for solution
storage. The enclosed system protects
wildlife and eliminates many of the envi-
ronmental problems associated with open
ponds.
Gold is extracted from solution by
adsorption in a series of columns using
activated carbon. The
gold is then stripped
from the carbon with a
concentrated solution
of cyanide and caustic
soda and plated on
steel wool by electroly-
sis. The final product at
the mine is a dore bar
containing approxi-
mately 80 percent
gold. 19 percent silver.
and 1 percent impuri-
ties. The dore bars are
shipped to a commer-
cial refinery which
separates the gold and
silver.
RECLAMATION
The San Bernar-
dino County Planning
Commission approved
the reclamation plan for
Castle Mountain Mine
on September 27.
Photo 1. Aerial photo of Caslle Mountain's leaching operations. Photo
1990. following a
courtesy of Viceroy Resource Corpora/ion.
lengthy public hearing.
At the hearing. testimony
in support of the plan was presented by
representatives from San Bernardino
County. MLRP. BLM. and the Sierra Club
Legal Defense Fund. which also repre-
sented the Wilderness Society and the
Natural Resources Defense Council. The
plan was hailed by the California environ'
mental community as state-of-the-art
precedent-selting. and a model for future
reclamation planning. The follO\ving year.
the Califomia Mining Association awarded lamation in accordance with the approved implemented to protect the environment
Castle Mountain Venture the 1991 Excel- reclamation plan. This bond is adminis-
lence in Reclamation Award for Best Rec- tered by the county for the benefit of both During this lO-year time frame. perfor-
lamation Plan. Mining operations by their
very nature involve the disturbance of land based on the total acreage to be disturbed reclamation success. In addition. federal.
CALIFORNIA GEOLOGY
and natural resources. Viceroy's goal was
to develop a plan that would minimize
impacts through progressive and innova-
tive reclamation.
A Memorandum of Understanding
between the State and BLM specifies how
the California Surface Mining and Recla-
mation Act (SMARA) is applied to mining
operations on lands within the jurisdiction
of BLM. Prior to mining. Viceroy was
required to obtain approval of the recla-
mation plan from San Bernardino County
in accordance with SMARA. Since most
of the land is within the jurisdiction of
BlM. the reclamation plan had to meet
federal requirements as well. Develop-
ment of the plan was coordinated by BLM the control. A similarity index measures
officials in the California Desert District.
Needles Resource Area office.
Financial Assurance
for Reclamation
Pursuant to an agreement between
BLM and the county. a single surety bond nance program has been established to
is held by the two agencies to assure rec-
agencies. The amount of the bond is
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 1992
by the end of each year and must be
adequate for the agencies to complete
reclamation in the event the operator
defaults. Periodic adjustments will include
increases based on additional disturbances
in the following year as well as decreases
to account for areas successfully reclaimed
during the past year. Currently a bond is
posted in the amount of $619.000.
Performance Goals
An important aspect of the reclama-
tion plan is the establishment of measur'
able performance goals. Performance
goals are important to the mine operator
because they establish clear criteria for
the release of financial
assurances. Performance
goals are also important
to the regulatory agency
because they offer a
means to monitor compli-
ance with the approved
reclamation plan.
Success of Viceroy's
revegetation program will
be determined by density
and diversity of perennial
species. Vegetation on
reclaimed areas will be
compared to species
found on undisturbed
control sites. Control
sites will be selected that
are representative 01
naturally occurring veg.
etation growing under
conditions similar to
those found on the mine
site. The lO-year goal
for vegetation density is
21 percent of the control.
The 10'year goal for spe-
cies diversity is 15 per-
cent. expressed as a similarity index of
the similarity 01 one multi-species popula-
tion to another by comparing the species
common to both.
Monitoring and Maintenance Program
A 10-year monitoring and mainte-
ensure that appropriate procedures are
and reclaim areas disturbed by operations.
mance goals will be monitored to ensure
'"
State. and county agencies require that
VICeroy submit annual reports over the
life of the project. so agency personnel
are kept informed of reclamation pro-
gress. Viceroy's on-site environmental
coordinator \Alill supervise the monitoring
program and ensure operations are
undertaken in compliance with federal.
State. and county requirements.
Employee Training Program
Employees operating heavy equiP'"
ment for reclaiming the project site are
required to attend educational sessions on
land shaping. vegetation and soil salvage.
seedbank preparation. soil stockpile
preparation. contouring.
placement of soil and
seedbank material. seeding.
and grading techniques. 1he
sessions are to educate
equipment operators with
state-of·the·art reclamation
techniques.
Protecting Desert Tortoises
1he Mojave population
of the desert tortoise is listed
as a threatened species. pur-
suant to the Federal Endan·
gered Species Act. BLM
conducted a detailed investi·
gation to determine if the
project would adversely
affect desert tortoise popula-
tions. Possible tortoise bur·
rOVJS on and adjacent to the
site were examined with a
fiber-optic scope. The study
coincided with the time of
year that tortoises would
nonnally be found in their
burrOVJS. No evidence of
recent tortoise activity was
found on the mine site.
Prior to mine construc-
tion. 25.000 feet (7.625 m)
of fence was built to keep
tortoises and other wildlife
from the site. 1he tortoise
fence consists of a 6·foot (2-m) chain-link
fence fined at the base with a 3-foot-
(I-m-) high plastic mesh (Photo 2). The
mesh is buried about 18 inches (45 cm) to TIle 150.000·acre (600-kml) ranch was
prevent tortoises from digging under it.
Prior to any further disturbance. a team
of biologists searched the enclosed area
three times for tortoises. One tortoise was habitat Viceroy retired the grazing righls
'S<
found and relocated outside the project
area. Care was also taken to protect the
tortoises during construction of the mine
access road. Prior to construction. a
team of biologists searched the route
for tortoises. During construction. daily
inspections for tortoises were conducted
by experts.
Mine employees receive annual tor-
toise training. If a tortoise is sighted near
the project. an employee certified in desert
tortoise handling techniques is immediately
dispatched to take appropriate action. The
day. time. location. and action taken for
each tortoise sighting is recorded.
Photo 2. Tortoise lence inslalled althe base of chain·~nk
fence to protect desert tortoises from mine operalIOns.
Photo by Gail NeW/on.
To further mitigate the operation's
impact on desert lortoise. Viceroy pur'
chased the historic Walking Box Ranch.
established by film stars Clara Bow and
Rex Bell in the 1930s. Portions of the
ranch include category one desert tortoise Desert Survivors. Califomia Wilderness
CALIFORNIA GEOLOGY NOVEMBER DECEMBER 1992
associated with the ranch and gave the
Nature Conservancy an option to acquire
the ranch at half Viceroy's purchase price.
The Nature Conservancy plans to establish
a desert tortoise preserve on the ranch.
Reclamation of Clay Pits
Big Chief Hill is a landmark visible from
much of northern Lanfair Valley. owing to
the presence of clay quarries on the flank
of the hill. Another. sornev.rtlat smaller.
clay quarry lies about 3/4 mile (I km) to
the north. Due to the color and reflective
nature of the clay minerals. the quarries
are a stark contrast to their surroundings.
The white scars can be seen for miles.
Viceroy will reclaim the
previously mined clay pits as
part of its comprehensive recla·
mation plan for the Castle
Mountain Mine. Approximately
5 million tons (4.5 million met-
ric tons) of overburden will be
backfiUed in the south clay pit
to form four terraces. GrO<\.llth
media will be placed over the
terraces. and the area will be
seeded with native vegetation.
Plants salvaged. from other
disturbed areas will be trans-
planted to enhance the reveg·
etation efforts. Growth media
will also be placed on the north
clay pit which \Alilt be revege-
tated similarly (Photos 3 and 4).
Revegetation ReVIew
Committee
Revegetation of a semi-arid
desert using indigenous species
has not been well documented.
Because the revegetation pro-
gram proposed al the mine site
is experimental. the Revegeta-
tion Review Committee (RRq
was formed to bring together
indivXIuals with expertise in arid
lands revegetation. arid lands
ecology. geology. and hydrol-
ogy. Other participants include
representatives from Viceroy. BLM. MLRP.
the county of San Bernardino. Joshua
Tree National Monument. and three pe0-
ple nominated by seven environmental
organizations: the Sierra Oub Legal
Defense Fund. The Wilderness Society.
Coalition. Natural Resources Defense
Council. Desen Protection Council. and
Citizens for Mojave National Park.

Viceroy files an annual repon with

San Bernardino County and BLM sum-
marizing revegetation programs con-
ducted at the mine. The RRC meets at
least annually to discuss each repon and
to make recommendations regarding the
effectiveness of the revegetation program.
Recommendations prepared by the RRC
and provided to Viceroy. the county.
and BLM can fonn the basis lor chang-
ing revegetation techniques and perfor-
mance standards. Flexibility offered by
this approach is critical to developing
achievable performance standards for
an area where success has not been
demonstrated.

Plant Salvage Operations

Prior to mining. areas proposed for

early excavation were flagged for a plant
salvage program conducted by BLM.
Seven species of cacti. three species of
yucca. and numerous species of native
shrubs were included in the program.
Salvage operations were conducted
in lour stages. During the lirst stage.
mining and reclamation groups. scientific
organizations. and botanical societies
were allowed to salvage plants during
a weekend. The following weekend was
designated for the public. Commercial
nurseries were allowed to collect speci-
mens over the third weekend.
Photo 3. Area disturbed by mining activity. shown before reclamation. Photo courtesy of
Viceroy Resource Corporation.
BLM rangers. mine personnel. and
volunteers were on site 10 supervise
the salvage operation and provide assis'
tance. Permits were issued by BLM
for plant salvage activities. Special per-
mits required by the California Desen
Native Plant Act were affixed to all
plants before transit.
During the final stage of plant salvage
operations. Viceroy salvaged plants for
use in future on-site reclamation. A goal
to transplant 25 percent of the barrel
cactus and 25 percent of the Joshua
trees was established in the environmen'
tal documentation lor the protect. Sal-
vage operations began on March 23.
1991.

Two companies specializing in the

salvage of desert plant material were
contracted to conduct the salvage opera'
tion. Plant materials in the access road.
leach pad. and pit areas proposed for
early excavation were salvaged first.
A crew of 16 spent 2 weeks transplant-
ing 10.625 plants. Larger specimens
were excavated using a tree spade which
removes a ball of eanh with the roots.
Mos! plants were salvaged using the bare
root method which is a more economical
technique. Bare root stock was dug with
a mattock (bladed pick-axe).

Two salvaged plant hokling areas

were prepared to receive the plant mate·
rials (cover photo). Separate holding
areas reduce the risk of an unforseen
ew:!nt. stich as a lire or disease. destroy·
Photo 4. Same area as Photo 3. shown after reclamation. Photo courtesy 01 Viceroy ing all the salvaged plant material.
Resource Corporallon.

CALIFORNIA GEOlOGY NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 1992 '"s


Before disrupting the plants each was
marked with nontoxic paint to indicate
north, because a cactus will sunburn if
transplanted with an orientation different
than ils original. Roots were air-dried
and lightly dusted with sulfur to prevent
disease.
The "post hole methoo" was used to
plant plants in one of the hok!ing areas.
A hole large enough to accommodate the
base of the plant and its roots was dug
and filled with VJater. The plant was posi-
tioned in the hole and soil was lightly
tamped around the roots.
An irrigation system was installed to
provide water to the plant nurseries.
A 2-inch (5-<:m) PVC line runs the length
of the nursery with a i-inch (2.5-cm) line
'T' at each row. A pressure reducer and
manual shutoff valve are installed on each
i-inch (2.5-cm) line. Plants receive water
through 30-inch- (75-cm-) long flexible
tubing (spaghetti lines) litted with a lead
head weighted emitter. The system is
equipped with automatic battery operated
valves.
Soil Salvage Operations
Success of revegetation efforts
depends largely on using available soil
resources which are limited at the Castle
Mountain Mine. A soil survey determined
'" CALIFORNIA GEOLOGY
the amount of soil available on site and
its suitability for revegetation. Soil that
cauk! be used in the revegetation program
was classified as grow1h media and care-
fully mapped. Over one million cubic
yards (765.000 ml) of growlh media was
identified to be salvaged (Photo 5).
Prior 10 salvaging growlh media.
unsalvageable plant material was mulched
using a hydro-axe. The hydro-axe works
like a large mulching lawnmower. cutting
vegetation into small pieces. This process
serves two purposes: the organic mailer
improves the fertility of the growth media.
and it conseJVeS seeds which will enhance
future revegetation efforts.
Salvaging of growlh media was care-
fully planned to minimize the amount of
land disturbed prior to mining operations.
Growth media stockpiles were put where
they wouk! be needed for reclamation.
away from future mine operations.
A native seed mixture was used to estab-
lish a vegetative cover on the stockpiles
to control erosion.
Seed Collection Program
Local plant species survive and domi-
nate a particular site because they are
adapted for long-term viability under
local c1imalic conditions. A seed collection
program was initiated at the mine site to
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 1992
Photo 5. Stockpiled topsoit will be redistributed
prior to revegetation. Photo by J.$. Pompy.
assure the availability of locally adapted
plants for future reclamation, Native
plants at the project site served as a
basis for species selection. Seed from
over len local species was collected.
Special effort was made to collect seed
for species listed in the approved reclam-
ation plan.
The genetic makeup of individual
plant species can vary significantly
depending on location. Maintaining the
best adapted plants on site depends on
conserving the integrity of the local
gene pool. To avoid importing "foreign"
genetic material. the seed collection
program was confined to a 25-mile
(40-km) radius of the mine sHe. Seed
VJas hand collected by experienced seed
collectors and cleaned and certified al
an approved laboratory before being
returned to the mine site for planting.
The seed will be used in the revegetation
research program.
Revegetation Research
Program
Although a lot has been learned about
the functioning of desert ecosystems.
much remains to be learned. This is par-
ticularly true for the complex interactions
involved in plant establishment and soil
restoration. A Revegetation Research
Program is being conducted by the
Desert Studies Consortium of the Califor-
nia State University system and San
Diego State University to develop the
expertise needed to establish native veg~
etation on areas disturbed by mining.
The research program will evaluate strate-
gies for direct seeding success. evaluate
mulches and fertilizers that may improve
plant survival. evaluate slope erosion can·
trol methods, assess the fertility and bio-
logical potential of growth media. study
leach pad revegetation. establish trials on
surface shaping for optimal seed germina-
tion and establishment of plants. evaluate
transplant procedures lor optimal survival
rates. evaluate propagation techniques
and hardening protocol for nursery grOVJTl
stock. and conduct field trials on irrigation
methodology.
 Sedimentation in a Highly
Erosive Watershed
Salmon Creek, Humboldt County
OSCAR L. HUBER
Engineering Geologist
Division of Mines and Geology

INTRODUCTION

The evaluation 01 cumulative effects from haTvesting timber

is a major concern for all State agencies that review Timber
Harvesting Plans rn;ps), for timber landowners and foresters
responsible for managing the forest resources. and for local
citizens who wish to see that future land-use activities do nOI
damage the natural environment. During the past decade. par-
ticular attention has been given to highly erosive watersheds in
which timber harvesting has triggered landslides and soil erosion.
and has resulted in the deposition of sediment and debris in
stream channels.
,,
Re<:enlly. at the request of the Department of Forestry and
Fire Protection (CDF'). the Department of Conservation's Divi-
sion of Mines and Geology (DMG) conducted a detailed analysis
of the potential cumulative effects of logging with respect to
slope stability, erosion. and sedimentation in Salmon Creek. a
,
,,-~-~~....:;,
o 4
.-
8 1(;IDme18f!l

salmonid (salmon and steelhead) spawning stream in Humboldt
County. California (Hgure 1), During the review of two pro-
posed THPs for the middle one·third of the watershed, questions
were raised regarding: 1) present sediment conditions and
causes of sedimentation in Salmon Creek; 2) impacts associated
with previous timber harvesting operations; and 3) impacts
which may result from future timber harvesting in the watershed.
In order to evaluate these concerns. reconnaissance-level geo-
logie field investigations were conducted in the THP areas
and along approximately 3 miles (5 km) of the stream channel
(between points 1 and 3. Figure 2), In addition. aerial photo-
graphs taken in 1940.1948. 1954. 1962.1972. 1981. 1984.
and 1988 were used to document landslide activity. changes in
stream channel conditions. road construction. logging activity.
vegetative regrowth. and associated watershed conditions during
the past 50 years (Huber. 1991).
BACKGROUND
Two watercourses in Humboldt County are officially named
Salmon Creek. One is a tributary to the South Fork of Eel River.
and the orher is a coastal stream that discharges into Humboldt
Bay. The lalter is the subject of this article.
Salmon Creek is almost 14 miles (22 km) long. excluding
tributaries. The lowest one-third of the watershed flows across
pastureland reclaimed around the turn of the century from the
tidal flat of Humboldt Bay. A tidegate and dike system along the
margin of the bay protect the pastureland from saltwater f1exxl-
ing. In addition to pasture. the tidal flat includes a national wild-
Figure 1. location map 01 the Salmon Creek waterShed.
life refuge, The upper two-thirds of the watershed is mountain-
ous timberland. The middle one-third of the watershed. the study
area. has been clearcut or selectively logged. Part of the area
was first logged about 1900 and again in the mid-1950s. The
rest of the area was first logged between the late 1930s and the
early 1960s. Only part of the upper one-third of the watershed
has been logged.
Today the middle one·third of the watershed is covered with
a dense. well-stocked stand of 30- to 55'year-01d trees in addi-
tion to scallered older trees. Approximately 75 percent of the
trees in this area are redwoexls. the remainder are Douglas fir.
grand fir. tan oak. alder. and madrone. Most of the trees in the
30- to 55-year-okl stands are 14 to 30 inches (35 to 70 cm) in
diameter (Mike Kennedy. Simpson Timber Company. oral com·
munication. October 1992). A new cycle of timber halWSting
on these lands has recently begun under the Forest Practice
Rules. using a variety of silvicultural methods. including clearcut.
selection or commercial thinning. and skyline cable yarding
where appropriate.
GEOLOGIC SETTING
The Salmon Creek watershed is underlain by Holocene allu-
vium and alluvial Ian deposits (pastl.lrelands and wildlife refuge).
by undifferentiated Wildcat Group sedimentary rocks (down-
stream half of the timberlands). and by Yager Formation and

CALIFORNIA GEOLOGY NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 1992 '87

 , -.. .....- .... -. .....
. '

",,,,,.00"'''''' '""""'0'00'
"." " ..,,,., ... "0
,.,.,.,""'"
0'" ~ '. ~,,, ." .""
""N
'. ..."
~l~~-"':',': '.':':"'!.'::\"':""':.~''::' ..'':~'.~
-"-'
EXPLANATION

(§1
-'
TranslationaVrotational slide 0,1 Artificial fill (Holocene) ---- Lithologic contact
a
tt)
c'
Earthtlow
Of
Alluvium (Holocene)
Alluvial fan deposits (Holocene)
.................. Thrust fault (barbs on upper
plale)
@ Debris slide art River terrace deposits ,..._%- Fault
(Holocene)
,r
Debris lIowltorrenl track

Debris slide slope

omts Marine terrace deposits (Late
Pleistocene) -+- Anticlinal axis

Oh Hookton Formation (Middle to -I- Synclinal axis

Active slide (too small to delin- Late Pleistocene) ~" Strike and dip of bedding
eate al this scale) , Volcanic ash ~ Approximate strike and dip
f.~,
.;; Disrupted ground OTwu Wildcat group undifferenliated of bedding
(Miocene-Late Pleistocene)
1 Spring Ty Yager Formation (Tertiary)
...\C' Strike and dip of fault as pro-
jected from subsource data
~ Marsh

Figure 2. Geology and geomorphic features related to landsliding in the Salmon Creek watershed. and locations of selected features dis-
cussed in the text. Modified from Kilbourne. 1985: Kilbourne and Momson. 1985; and Huber. 1991.

'" CALIFORNIA GEOLOGY NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 1992

undifferentiated rocks of the Wildcat Group (upstream half of
the timberlands). The Yager and Wildcat units are gently folded.
with fold axes running east and west. Salmon Creek crosses the
Uttle Salmon Fault near the contact between Wildcat Group
rocks and alluvium (Kilboume and Morrison. 1985). The Yager
FOlTTlation is composed of moderately hard to hard. yellowish
brown to gray sandstone. The Wildcat Group rocks are of soft.
yellowish brown to bluish gray siltstone. claystone. and fine
sandstone. The alluvium and fan deposits are unconsolidated
silts. sands. and gravels. which were derived by erosion and
transportation of Yager and Wildcat Group rocks.
There are many landslides in Salmon Creek where it flows
over Wildcat Group rocks (Rgure 2) (Kilbourne and Morrison.
1985). Conversely. few landslides exist where the stream chan-
nel is in the Yager FOlTTlation. even where Wildcat Group rocks
overlie the Yager Fonnation (Kilboume, 1985). Differences
in the strength and durability of these bedrock units explain
differences in slope stability along the stream channel. Where
Wildcat Group rocks are exposed in the channel. erosion rapidly
removes the toes of slopes. This destabilizes slopes which then
fail much more readily than in areas where the harder and
stronger Yager FOlTTlation is exposed in the channel. Because
of the weak and predominantly clayey to silty nature of the
Wildcat Group sedimentary rocks. most of the material that
enters the channel of Salmon Creek in the central portion of
the drainage is fine-grained.
smaller than 8 inches (20 cm) in diameter. but some are as
large as 12 inches (30 cm). The hard sandstone gravel was
derived from the Yager Formation. exposed several miles farther
upstream. and was transported to the lower reaches of the water-
course. probably dUring high stOITTl nows.
Throughout the middle portion of the watershed. the gravels
in the riffles are embedded in fine sediment and the pools are
partly filled with fine sand and sill. Along inside bends and adja·
cent to toes of slides. fine sediment covers. or partly covers. the
gravel in the riffles. The in-stream sediment appears to be quite
thin (2 to 4 feet or about 1 m). except where trapped behind
obstructions in th€ channel. where it locally reaches thicknesses
of 20 feet (6 m) or more. Remnants of previously trapped sedi-
ment are present as terrace deposits adjacent to the channel.
Most of the terrace deposits are poorly stratified silt. with large
amounts of embedded wood.
LANDSLIDES
The aerial photographs document that most of the large
landslides adjacent to Salmon Creek, within the central portion
of the watershed. were present prior to 1940. However. the
aerial photographs also indicate that most of these landslides
became larger during and after the timber harvesting operations
between 1940 and 1960. and that some landslides were prob-
ably initiated by the construction of roads and skid roads.

SALMON CREEK CHANNEL The landslide at point 1 (Rgure 2) is among the largest active
landslides on Salmon Creek. The aerial photographs indicate
In the area examined. the stream channel is 15 to 30 feet sliding began prior to 1940 and that repeated movement has
(5 to 9 m) wide and 8 to 15 feet (2 to 5 m) deep, with steep occurred, as evidenced on 1972. 1981. and 1988 photos. Trees
(50 percent to 80 percent) side slopes. The stream gradient and stumps in the area around the slide indicate there have been
ranges from 2.7 percent to 3.5 percent and the channel con-
sists of shallow pools and riffles with no significant waterfalls or
rapids. At the lime of inspection. the riffles were 6to 12 inches
(15 to 30 cm) deep and about 10 feet (3 m) wide. Pools were
2 to 3 feet (60 to 90 em) deep.

Average nows for the months of May. June. and July are
8.1. 3.2. and 0.9 cubic feet per second (cfs) (0.22. 0.09.
0.03 ems). respectively. The average flow for February is
54.5 cfs 0.5 cms) (U.S. Department of the Interior. Rsh and
Wildlife Service, 1987). The peak now for major storms would
be significantiy greater than the average February now. As with
other coastal streams in California. most of the sediment trans-
portation and channel erosion occur dUring infrequent. short-
duration. high stOITTl nows.

Streambank erosion is evident at every bend in the channel

and at the toes of all the larger slides. At some locations. bare,
eroding. undercut. nearly vertical banks are more than 40 feet
(12 m) high. All of the rock outcrops in the downstream half
of the forested portion of the watershed are composed of soft.
gray to yellowish brown siltstone and fine sandstone of the Wild-
cat Group (Photo 1). These rocks are easily broken by hand.
and erosion of the rock produces silt and sand with no durable
gravel component. Sediments in the active stream channel are a Photo 1. Typical exposure of soft Siltstone bedrock in the
mixture of sill. fine sand. and gravel. The gravel is composed of Salmon Creek channel. The siltstone is pan of the undilter-
well rounded fragments of hard sandstone. most of which are entiated Wildcat Group. Photo by Oscar Huber. June 1,. 1992.

CALIFORNIA GEOLOGY NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 1992

'"
two cycles of logging there (about 1900 and 1%0). At present.
the slide includes numerous scarps up to 6 feet (2 m) high. Its
surface is mostly revegetated and appears to be relatively stable.
Previous stream surveys reported the presence of logjams. mud.
and debris at this location (Bugbee and others. 1964: Trzeciak.
1984). but none VJere observed during this study.
The landslide at point 2 on Figure 2 is also very large and
active. The air photos indicate that it moved prior to 1940.
The photos taken in 1954 and thereafter indicate periodic
movemenl. Trees and stumps on the slope adjacent to the slide
indicate the (irst cycle of logging occurred here in the early
1940s. Debris at the toe of this slide presently fiUs the stream
channel for about 500 feet (I 50 m). wilh an average depth
of about 15 feet (5 m) (Photo 2). This debris is composed of
Jogs. soil. and blocks of siltstone. The stream has established
a route over and through this feature and formed a large pond
upstream. For several hundred feet downstream. the channel is
locally aggraded with sediment and other material from the slide.
This landslide is a constant source of fine sediment.
LOGJAMS AND IN-STREAM SEDIMENT
Conditions of Salmon Creek prior to the beginning of
road construction and timber harvesting are unknown. How-
ever. the geomorphic processes of channel erosion and stream
bank undercutting were probably operating in a manner similar
10 those observed today. 11le processes that fonn logjams were
active so some logiarns were almost certainly present. Through-
out the last few thousands of years. major earthquakes or stonns
undoubtedly triggered landslides that deposited many fallen trees
in the stream channel.
Interpretation of the various aerial photographs indicates
that unregulated road construction and logging practices 30 to
50 years ago increased Jandsliding and erosion. and probably
created logjams. The 1954 photos show the stream channel
filled with sediment for about a mile (600 m) upstream of a l0g-
jam at point 4 (Rgure 2). For about 650 feet (190 m) upstream
from the logjam there is no surface flow of water evident on
the photographs.
The 1962 photographs show a logjam 600 feet (180 m)
downstream from point 4. Sediment filled the channel for
about 4.200 feet (1.280 m) upstream. The 1972 photographs
indicate this logjam no longer dammed the stream. which had
cut through the sediments behind the jam. By 1981 vegeta1ion
obscured most of the remnants of these deposits (Huber. 19911.
11le 1964 stonn. the largest on record for the north coast
of California. undoubtedly played a role in removing logjams
and sediment in the Salmon Creek channel. Also. many log-
jams were removed prior to the mid-1970s to control erosion.
salvage Jogs. and/or allow fish migration (McConnick. 1955;
Gary Giannandrea. timber operator. oral communication.
1991). Recent investigations indicate thaI large VJOOdy debris
is now rare in the Salmon Creek channel.
Prior to the initiation of stream clearance VJOrk conducted in
the early 1970s. pools between riffles in Salmon Creek VJere
''0 CALIFORNIA GEOlOGY
probably deeper than at present because more logs woukI pro-
duce more plunge-pools. Even so. the highly erodible nature of
the Wildcat Group sedimentary rocks and the occurrence of
major stonns and earthquakes in the area suggest thatlhe pools
and gravels VJere frequently filled with fine sediment. similar to
the present conditions.
EFFECTS OF TIMBER HARVESTING
Unregulated timber harvesting activities between 1940
and 1960 caused changes in slope stability and erosion. and
probably in stream conditions in Salmon Creek. Common Jog-
ging practices in California at that time included skidding logs
in stream channels. sidecasting earth into streams during road
construction. removing or burning stream canopy vegetation.
and tractor harvesting on steep slopes. However. many of these
effects on the slopes appear to have recovered by vegetative
regrourth and geomorphic processes. In addition. the passage
01 the Z'Berg-Ne;ed1y Forest Practice Act of 1973 restricted
the limber harvest practices that probably caused the greatest
impacts to the stream system. Slope stability is now a major
consideration during road design. trees on Sleep slopes are
routinely haJVeSled with cable yarders instead of tractors. erosion
must be kept to a minimum. and stream canopy vegetation must
be protected. In addition. erosion problems caused by past
harvesting are often mitigated in current n-trs.
Even though logging practices have improved and there are
now strict regulations gO'v'elTling them. slope stability and erosion
risks associated with timber harvesting remain. Those risks are
evaluated during the review of proposed n-trs. and special
mitigation may be imposed. In the case of Salmon Creek. pro-
posed timber harvesting may cause increases in the erosion
of line-grained sediment from slopes or increases in the occur-
rence of landslides. For this reason. THPs in the Salmon Creek
watershed are being designed to minimize soil erosion and
avoKl operations on landslides. To offset increases in sediment
yields. some of the remnant erosion problems associated with
existing abandoned roads will be corrected. Consequently.
timber harvesting operations proposed under the two THPs
reviewed are not expected to result in significant changes in
slope stability. erosion. or sedimentation in the portion of the
watershed examined.
CONCLUSIONS
There are probably fewer logjams. less sediment stored.
and less VJOOdy debris in the stream channel than under pristine
conditions. Consequently. sediment probably migrates through
the system more readily. Reasons for in-stream conditions
include previous clearance projects and the ongoing drought
However. the detennining factor in controlling the presence of
fine-grained sediment in the Salmon Creek pools and gravels is
the abundance of Wildcat Group source rocks in the watershed.
Unregulated timber harvesting activities caused significant
changes in slope stability and erosion rates. but it appears
that most of these effects have been mitigated by subsequent
geomorphic processes and vegetative regrowth. Some remnant
erosion problems. such as washed-out watercourse crossings
NOVEMBER DECEMBER 1992
 Photo 2. Debris in the slleam channel at the downstream margin 01 the landslide at point 2 on Figure 2. The toe of lhe slide
is about 500 feel (150 ml wide, and lhe channel is choked wilh logs, soil. and fragments of sillstone in this entire interval.
The debris is 20 10 30 leel (6 to 9 ml deep in places. Photo by Ken Moore, Department of Fish and Game, July I I, 1991.
on abandoned roads. are being resolved in conjunction with
new THPs.
Mitigations required by current Forest Practice Rules and
new methods will likely reduce the impact of haTVesling.
Stream protection measures may also promote the accumula-
tion of large woody debris in the stream channel. resulting in
more logjams and accumulation of in·stream sediment. allowing
the stream to more closely resemble its natural condilion.
REFERENCES
Bugbee. Steve: Gaumer. John: Winford. Jerry: Clarl<.. Jack: Williams.
Ron: and Rhinehart, Jim. 1964. Salmon Creek stream survey of
July 16. 1964: California Department of Fish and Game. Untitled
Stream Survey Form.
Huber, Oscar. 1991, Engineering geologic review of timber harvest
plans 1·91-129 HUM and 1-91-132 HUM. Memo 10 William T.
imboden. Chief, Region I, Calilornia Department of Forestry and
Fire Protection. from Department of Conservation, Division of
Mines and Geology, Augusl 19. 1991.
Kilbourne. Richard. 1985. Geology and geomorphic features related
to landstidlng. McWhinney Creek 7.5-minule quadrangle,
Humboldt County. California: Department of ConservallOn, Divi-
sion of Mines and Geology. OFR 85·3 S.F., scale 1:24,000.
CALIFORNIA GEOLOGY
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This article was reviewed and comments were provided by
Lois Kaufman, CDF: Mike Kennedy. Simpson Timber Company:
Ken Moore and Jim Steele. Department of Fish and Game: and
Tom Spittler and Trinda Bedrossian. DMG.
Kilbourne. Richard, and Morrison, S.D., 1985. Geology and geomor-
phic feaMes. related 10 landsliding, Fields Landing 7.5·minute
quadlangle. Humboldt County, California: Department 01 Conser-
vation. DiVISion 01 Mines and Geology, OFR 85·4, S.F., scale
1:24.000.
McCormick. Ralph, 1955. Logjam removal on Strombeck property.
memo 10 E.D. Bailey. California Department of Fish and Game,
April 26. 1955.
Trzeciak, Lynne. 1984. Salmon Creek slream survey 01 January 17/26.
1984: California Department of Fish and Game. Untitled Stream
Survey Form, dated 3-15-84.
U,S. Department 01 the Intenor. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1987.
Engineering assessment lor the Humboldt Bay National Wildlife
Refuge, December 1987.
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 1992
'"

BRIEF HISTORY OF
MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS
WWeights and measures may
be ranked among the necessaries of
life to every Individual of human soci-
ety, They enter into the economical
arrangements and dally concerns of
every family. They are necessary to
every occupation of human Industry;
to the distribution and security of
every species of property; to every
transaction of trade and commerce;
to the labors of the husbandman;
to the ingenuity of the artificer; to
the studies of the philosopher; to the
researches of the antiquarian. to the
nolligotion of rhe mariner. and the
marches of the soldier; to aI/the
eKchonges of peace. and all the opera-
tions of war. The knowledge of them.
as In established use. Is among the
first elements of education. and is
often learned by those who leam
nothing else, not even to read and
write. This knowledge Is riveted In
the memory by the habitual appllca'
tlOI1 of it to the employments of men
throughout life. --John Quincy Adams
Report to Congress, 1821.
Weights and measures were among
the earliest tools invented by people,
Primitive societies needed rudimentary
measures for many tasks: constructing
dwenings of an appropriate size and
shape. fashioning clothing. or banering
1000 or raw materials.
PeoPe understancIably turned first to
pans of the txxiy and their natural sur-
roundings for measuring inSlJlJJ'lleOts.
Early Bab,Aon.... and Egyptian ,,,,,,",,
and the Bible indicate lhat length was
first measured with the forealTTl. hand,
or finger and mat time was measured by
the periods of the sun. moon, and other
heavenly bodies. When it was necessary
to compare the capacities of containers
such as gourds or clay or metal vessels.
they VJere filled with plant seeds, which
", CALIFORNIA GEOLOGY
lAlefe then counted to measure
the voh.mes. When means
lor weighing lAlefe in\'eOted.
seeds and stones served as
standards. For instance. the
~carat: stin used as a tu1it
for gems. was derived from
the carob seed.
As societies evolved. weights and
measures became more complex. 'The
invention of numbering systems and the
science of mathematics made it possible
to create whole systems of weights and
measures suited to trade and commerce.
taxation, or scientific research. For these
more sophisticated uses it was necessary
to weigh and measure more complex
things. and do it accurately time after
time and in different places, H()IJ,IeI,Ief.
with limited international exchange of
goOOs and communication of ideas. it
is not surprising that different systems
for the same purpose devek>ped and
lAlefe established in different parts of the
worid---eYen in different pans of a single
continent.
The Enghsh System
'The measurement system commonly
used in !he United States today is nearly
the same as lhat brought by lhe cok>nists
from England. 'These measures had
their origins in a variety of cultures--
Babylonian, Egyptian, Roman, Anglo-
Saxon, and Noonan French. 1lle ancient
w of weights and measures was established
~digit.H "palm," "span. and wcubif' units
evolved into the "inch," "foot." and
"yard" through a complicated transforma-
tion not fully understood.
Roman contributions include the use
of the number 12 as a base (our foot is
divided into 12 inches). and words from
which we derive many of our present
names for weights and measures. For
example. lhe 12 divisions of the Roman
Hpes," or foot, were called unciae. Our
words "inch" and HounceHare derived
from this Latin \.VOrd.
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 1992
'The -yard" as a measure of length
can be traced to the early Saxon kings
They wore a sash or girdle around the
waist which could be removed and used
as a convenient measuring device. Thus
the woJd "yard" comes from the Saxon
word wgW" meaning the circumference
of a person's waist.
Standardization of the various units
and their combinations into a 100seIy
related system of weights and measures
sometimes occurred in fascinating ways,
TrOOilion holds that King Henry I decreed
that the yard should be the distance from
the tip of his nose to the end of his thumb.
A furlong (or furrow-long) was established
by early Tudor rulers as 220 yards. This
led Queen Elizabeth [ 10 declare. in the
16th century. that henceforth lhe tradi-
tional Roman mile of 5.000 feet would
be replaced by one of 5.280 feet. making
the mile exactly 8 fur\ongs and providing
a convenient relationship between two
previously iII-relaled measures.
Thus. through royal edits. England
by the 18th century had achieved a
greater degree of standardization than
the continental countries. 'The English
units were \lieU suited to commerce and
trade because they had been developed
and refined 10 meet commercial needs.
Through colonization and dominance 01
world commerce during the 17th. 18th.
and 19th centuries. the English system
in many pans of the world. including the
American colonies.
HO\.Ve\I€r. among the 13 colonies
standards still differed to an extent UJ"lCle.
sirable to commerce. 'The need for unifor-
mity led to clauses in the Articles of Con-
federation (ratified by the original colonies
in 1781) and the ConstiMion of the
United States (ratified in 1790) giving
Congress the pD\lo'ef to fix standards for
weights and measures.
Today. """"""" _ by the
National Institute of Standards and Tech-
nology assure tu1ilormity throughout the
country.
This arlkle is taken in port from
Na/ional/nsrlture of Standards and
Technology Special Publica/iOll 304A
(Reulsed Augus/ 1991)
 DMG 0pen-FBe Report
Relrsr.
CORRECTIONS,
PREUMINARY FAULT ACllVm' MAP MAY/JUNE ISSUE
OF CAUFORNIA. DMG OFR 92-03. By
c.w. Jennings. 1992. $15.00 Page 77 - top right photo cap- Page 87 - specimen is from
tion should read Namibia. not Nambia.
This small-scale map (l :750.000) has fluorite. not nourite.
been extensively uJXlated to reflect current
knowledge of the age of displacement of
faults in California. Most of the fault data JULY/AUGUST ISSUE
shown on Ihe map and described in the
appendices were compiled in 1990; addi- Book Reviews - TIle address given Utah Geological and Mineral Survey
tional data were added in 1992. This com- Soils as a Tool for
for ordering Department of Natural Resources
pilation replaces the Fault Map of Califor-
Applied Quaternary Geology was 2363 South Foothill Drive
nia and its three-fokl classification of faults incorrect. The correct address is: Salt Lake City, UT 84109-1491
(historic. Quaternary. pre-Quaternary), This
map uses a five-color classification scheme
which further distinguishes Holocene and
late Quaternary faults as well as those of
the Foothills fault system. The locations of
ground breakage caused by earthquakes
have been updated and include new rup- I-----------------------~-----
ture data on the Emerson. Camp Rock.
and Johnson Valley faults resulting from
I DIVISION OF MINES AND GEOLOGY
the Landers/Big Bear earthquakes of June I Publications Request Form
28. 1992. Major zones of aligned seismic I SPECIAL REPORTS
Numoor of copies

activity are also depicted. Generally these I SA113 Geologic hazards southwestern San Bernardino County.
In
alignments are distributed along strike-slip Callforma.1976 . $17,00
faults showing Quaternary displacement. SA134 ErOSion along Dry Creek. Sonoma County, Califorma. 1977 $5.00
The map includes appendices containing
SA136 Landslidlng and mudllows at Wrightwood. Sail Bemardino County.
numerical and alphabetical listings of faults California. 1979 .. .. . ...$5.00
and their age of activity. reference(s). and if
SR152 Slope stability and geology 01 the Baldwin Hills. Los Angeles County,
applicable. the names of Special Studies California. 1982 . .$12.00
Zone maps.
SR155 Stabilization otlandshdes: ellects of various chemicals on the
This map is primarily a geologic fault laboratory shear sllength ot an e~pansive soil, 1984 $5.00
guide for land-use planners and public SA163 Surface and groundwater management in surface mined-land
safety officials. It should be used only as a reclamation. 1989 .. $10.00
first approximation of the potential hazard SPECIAL PUBLICATIONS
due to faulting. SP59 Proceedings of mined land reclamation workshop.
Juoe 11·12.1980.1982..................... . $11.00
DMG OFR 92-03 is available for SP85 Producllve second uses 01 mined land conlerence,
reference and purchase at all three DMG September 18·21.1984. 1984 ...$tl.oo
offices. The Sacramento office also offers REGIONAL GEOLOGIC MAP
prepaid mail order sales. In addition. DMG __ RGM7A Geologic map of the Chico quadrangle
OFR 92-03 is available through the Publi- (sel of five sheets in an envelope) (scale: 1:250.000). 1992 ,$22.00
cations Request Fonn to the right. DMG OPEN·FILE REPORT
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Publications Office I OTHER
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107 South Broadway, Room 1065
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ILCITY STATE ZIP _
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NOVEMBERIDECEMBER 1992
CALIFORNIA GEOlCXiY
'"
 · DMGSpedaI
.~RelNse
FAULT RUPTURE HAZARD ZONES IN
CAUFORNIA. Special Publication 42.
By EW. Hart. Revised 1992. $3.00.
The purpose of the Alquist-Priolo
Special Studies Zones (A-P) Act is to
regulate development near active faults
to mitigate the hazard of surface fault-
rupture.
This report summarizes responsibili-
ties under the A-P Act and details the
actions by the State Geologist and his
staff to implement it.
----~-----------------------I
CAUFORNIA GEOLOGY
Subscription and Change of Address Form
NAME (Please print or lype)
STREET
CITy
o 1 yr. $8.00
(6 issues) o 2 yrs. $15.50
(12 issues)
Under the A-P Act, the
State Geologist (Chief of the
Division of Mines and Geol-
ogy), is required to delineate
"Special Studies Zones"
(SSZs) along knOVJl1 active A-P faults in
California. Cities and counties affected by
the zones must regulate certain develop-
ment "projects~ within the zones. They
must withhold development pennits for
sites within the zones until geologic inves-
tigations demonstrate that the sites are
nol threatened by surface displacement
from faulting. The State Mining and
Geology Board provides additional regula·
lions (Policies and Criteria) to guide cities
and counties in their implementation of
the law. A summary of principal responsi-
bilities and functions required by the
_
_
STATE '" _ I
o 3 yrs. $23.00
(18Issues)
A-P Act is given in Table 1. The Policies
and Criteria are summarized in Table 2.
and the complete text is provided in
AppendiX B.
This is the eighth revision of Special
Publication 42. which was first issued in
December 1973 as an "Index to Maps 01
Special Studies Zones." A text was added
in 1975 and revisions were made in 1976.
1977.1980.1985.1988. and 1990. The
latest edition has been updated to rellect
changes in the index map. the Division's
Fault Evaluation and Zoning Program. and
amendments to the A·P Act.
This publication identifies and describes:
I) actions taken by the Stale Geologist to
delineate Special Studies Zones; 2} policies
used to make zoning decisions: and 3) Offi·
cial Maps 01 Special Studies Zones issued
10 date. A continuing program to evaluate
I faults for future zoning or zone revision
I also is summarized. Other aspecfs of the
Alquist-Priolo Special Studies Zones Act
I and its implementation are discussed by
I Hart (1978 and 1986).
T VJO appendices have been added to
I
I
I
this report to provide general guidelines in
the review 01 geologic reports and identify

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AND GEOLOGY. Send all orders and/or address change 10
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,,?-
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___________ _ _ _ Cahfornla
___ 95812·2980
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'" CALIFORNIA GEOLOGY NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 1992

 A-B
Apnl22 Joshua Tree. and June 2alanders and
Big Bear earthqJakes. 1992. 4~118
Bedrossian, Tnnda L.. 6:167
BorChardt, Glenn, 4:124
Briel history 01 measurement systems, 6:192
C National Monument. 5145
Calcareous lufa tormations. searles lake and
1.401'\0 Lake, 4:99
Ca~fomla has its laulls...• 1:18
Catifoml8 Slale Mming and MlfIeral Museum, 3 67
Cape Mendocino earthquakes. ApnI25-26, 1992,
2:56
Captain Jack's Suooghold. 5135
Camllo. Fred V" 4-122
Carver. G .. 2.40
Coon""
Alameda GeologIC hazards althe New Bay
Farm Island Elementary School, 6 178
Humboldt sedimentation in a hlQhly 8fOSIV8
watershed,6187
los Angeles GeoloQtc cond"00ns allhree
Rancho PalosVerdes subdlVlSlOOS. 6174
Mariposa CaMorn,a Slale MU'lU1g and M'nefal
Museum. 3:67
Mendocino Faulted waV8-<:ut terrace flear POint
Arena, 1:20
Modoc: MedICIne Lake Volcano and Lava Beds
National Monuman!. 5 145
San Bernardino Implemen1lng an award wmnmg
reclamation plan at CasUe Mountain Mirl9. 6 182
S,sll,iyou: Captain Jack's Stronghold, 5 135.
MediCine Lake Volcano and Lava Beds National
Monument. 5 t45
o McMillan. Jack R • 6174
Dengler,LonA 2.31,240
Detachmentlaulls. Cahfornla's extended past. 1'3
OMG releases see Open-File reports: Speclal
pubhcalJons
Donnelly·NoIan. Jul;e M . 5.t45
e California Stale Mining and Mineral Museum.
Earl Hartlece.ves 1992 Alfred E. Alquist award lor
adll8Vements in earthquake safety In Calilorllla.
4 121
Earrhqua/l.es:
ApnI 22 Joshua Tree, and June 28 Landers and
BI{I Bear eanhquakes. 4.118
Cape Mendocino earthquakes. April 25·26. 256
Earl Hart recerves \992 Allred E AlqUIst award
for ach'ElVements In earthquake safety In Cali-
forma,4121
Highlights of the second conference on earth.
quake hazards In the eaSlern San Fra!'lClsco
Bay area. 4 124
Honeydew earthquake. August t7. 199t. 2:3t
Soufces of north coast seismICity. 2 40
Earth science resources for teachers t992. 258
EnVIronmental Protection Program, 6.167
CALIFORNIA GEOLOGY
F
Faulted wave·QIlterrace near POlI'It Arena, t20
Field guide to the geology and metamorphism ot
the Franoscan complex and western metamor-
phic belt 04 northern Ca~lorma. Special Publica·
tlonlt4.4117
Field tups MediCine Lake Volcano and Lava Beds
Frost,EricG.t:3
G 1:24
Geolog,c conditions al three Raocoo Palos Verdes
subdIVisions. 6174
Geologic hazards at the New Bay Farm Island
Elementary School. 6 178
Geomelry of normallaultmg in Te<:opa Valley.
CaJifornia from magl'\lltic surveys. 4'110
Gou''IQ down the tubes. 5:156
Gross. MIChael R. 4 110
H 01 the California desert 2:63
Highlights at the second conlerence on earth·
quake hazards If'lthe eastern San Franosco Bay
area, 4 124
History of the minerai museum, 385
Honeydew earthquake. August t7.1991. 2:31
Huber, Oscar L.. 6187
Implementing an awa.d ......nnu'IQ reclamatIOn plan
at Castle Mountain Mme. 6182
L
LOUie. John N. 4 110
M
McClellan. Patrick, 4124
McCrink. Tim. 6178
McPherson, Robert C. 231. 240
Medicine Lake Volcano arod Lava Beds Nallonal
Monumen1. 5 145
Mlnerallnduslry of Callforma-l99t. 4 t22
Mmerals.
367
OMG OFR 91·t8, Mmes and minerai prospects
of the CaMornoa desert. 2 63
History at the Minerai Museum. 3:85
M1n8fal induslly ot CalitoIOla-I991, 4'122
Mining CaMorOla Stale Mining and Minerai
Museum. 3 67
New milling board members. 2 60
N
New milling board members. 2.60
o Gong down the tubes. 5 156
OIsborg. Eflk E , I 20
Open·Frle RepotIs
OMG OFR 91·1. GeologIC map ot the Susan·
Vllle quadrangle. Lassen and Plumas countIeS.
California. 1 24
NOVEMBER DECEMBER 1992
OMG OFR 91-10, Complete Bouguer gravity
map of the ONtshead MounlalOS quadrangle.
Calilornla,I;24
DMG OFR 9t·l t. Complele Bouguer gravity
map otthe Monte,ey quadrangle. CaliforOia. t.24
OMG OFR 91-12. Complete Bouguer gravity
map otthe Susanville quadrangle. Cahfornla.
1:24
DMG OFR 91·13. Complete Bouguer gravity
map 01 the Eagle Lake quadrangle. Cali1ornl3.
DMG OFR 91-14. Complete Bouguer gra\'1ty
map of the Santa Ana QUadrangle, Calilornla.
1:24
OMG OFR 91-t5, Complete Bouguer gra\'1ly
map of Soda Mountains quadrangle, Califofflola,
1 :24
OMG OFA 91-17. GeologiC map altha Santa
Ana 1'100.000 quadrangle, CalilorOia. 1:25
OMG OFR 91·18. Mines and minerai prospects
DMG OFA 9t·19, Turkey Flal, USA. site effects
test a,ea. repon 5, weak·mOllOn lest. statistical
analySIS of subml11ed predictions and companson
to observations. I :25
OMG OFR 91·2{). Turlley Flat, USA. site e!!ects
test a,ea. report 6. weak·motion test. observa·
lions and modeling. 1:26
DMG OFA 92·03, Preliminary lault activity map
of Califomia. 6193
OMG OFA 92·tO. GeologiC map 01 the Alberhill
1·11'Z quadrangle. Call!orflla. 6;196
p
Plfozzoli. Lynn A. 6182
Pompy. James S, 6'182
PndfTl()fe. Cynthia L.. 1:3. 1;18
Q..R
QuICksand model-an expeflment 4 130
AlElger. Ted, 4:99
s
Sedimentallon 10 a highly erOSIve watershed. 6187
Sources of North Coast seismICIty. 2 40
Spectal Publica/Ions.
SP42. Fau~ fI.lptu,e hazard zones III Cahlorllla.
6:194
SPt14, Field gUide to the geology and metamor-
phism 01 the FranCiscan complex and western
metamorphiC bell of nonhern Call1o'llia. 4 117
T
Teacher Features
Bnel history 01 measurement systems. 6192
CalitofOl3 has its faults 1 t8
Earth SCIence resources for teachers 1992.2'58
QuICksand mociel-an expenment. 4 t30
Toppozeda. Tcusson R , 4 t18
W
Waters. Aa,on C • 5 t35
Wilson. Rldl I. 4 Its
.,.
 STATE OF CALIFORNIA
THE RESOURCES AGENCY
DEPARTMENT Of CONSCRVATION
CALIFORNIA GEOLOGY
DIVISION OF
MINES AND GEOLOGY
POBOX 2980
SACRAMENTO. CALIFORNIA 95812-2980
USPS 350840
ADDRESS CORAECTION AEOUESTED
DMG OFR 92·10 GEOLOGIC
MAPOFTHEALBERHIu.. 7-1/2'
QUADRANGLE. CAUFORNIA. Scale
1:24.000. By Richard B. GreenVJClCXl.
1992. Bluelinc. $5.00 includes tax and
shipping.
The Alberhill7-112' quadrangle lies
betvJeen 33 37'3O~ and 33°45' north
latitude and I 17°22'30" west longitude
and covers an area of approximately
70 SCf.l'Ire miles (180 kml). The map
indudes rural regions of the Santa Ana
Mountains in southwestern Orange
County and the rapidly grO\A.ling urban
regions of the Elsinore and Santa Ana
mountallls of western Rr.oerside County.
This report is a pnxtuo of the Division of
MtneS and GeoIogy's Regional Geologic
Mapping Program. whiCh is chartered
with gather1ng. analyzing. and disseminat-
ing information regarding California's
regiOnal geoklgiC senmg The report Is
also supported by COGEOMAP. a coop-
erauve mapping profeCl of the Division of
'96 CAUFORNIA GEOLOGY
Mines and Geology and the
U.S. ~ical~. The
I :24.ooo-scale (lInch equals
2.000 feet) format pennits a
synthesis of detailed geoIogk:
mapping which provides a useful perspec-
tive tOVJard understanding the stratigra-
phy. structure. and geologic history of
the region. The 1;24 .OOO-scale presenta-
lion is appropriate for land·use planning
applications such as delineating regionally
significant mineral resource areas. evaluat
ing geologic hazards. (including regional
landslide studies and seismic ground
response studies). and provKIing an effec·
tive basis for planning geologic work In
the region
DMG OFR 9210 portlays the
regional framework geology and pro--
vides the basic infonnatJOO regarding the
relauve age. descriptlOl'l. and distribution
of the various rock typeS and IocatJOClS of
faults. The area consists of Late Jurassic
to Early Cretaceous metavolcanic and
metasedimentary roof pendants which
have been intruded by Ulte Cretaceous
granclionlic and tonalltlC rocks. 1hese
intrusil.oe complexes are falited agalflSl
Paleocene secbments dtlle Aberhil
NOVEMBER DECEMBER 1992
SECONO CLASS POSTAGE
PAID AT SACAMENTO. CALIFORNIA
MIning District. a State-c!esignated MIn-
erai Resource Area which has been for-
mally recognized for its high proouction of
clay minerals. The map also JXlnrays
Pleistocene to Holocene alluvial de)XlstIS
which have been faulted by late Pleis-
tocene 10 Holocene faults aSSOCiated with
the Elsinore Fault Zone.
Reference copies of OFR 92-10
are available at DMG's Sacramento. Los
Angeles. and San Francisco offices. It is
available for purchase at the Sacramento
and Los Angeles offices. PrepayrYl('nt is
reqUIred lor all mail Ofders.
GeologIC InlOfmatlOO and
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