{"id":1515,"date":"2014-04-27T21:44:18","date_gmt":"2014-04-27T21:44:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/nextgensd.com\/?p=1515"},"modified":"2023-07-19T03:14:58","modified_gmt":"2023-07-19T03:14:58","slug":"4-d-geologic-evolution-of-the-gulf-of-california","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nextgensd.com\/es\/4-d-geologic-evolution-of-the-gulf-of-california\/","title":{"rendered":"4-D Geologic Evolution of the Gulf of California"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"1515\" class=\"elementor elementor-1515\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-36c097c4 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"36c097c4\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-415d4920\" data-id=\"415d4920\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-246444f elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"246444f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.23.0 - 05-08-2024 *\/\n.elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img[src$=\".svg\"]{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image img{vertical-align:middle;display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/nextgensd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/4-D-Geologic-Evolution-of-the-Gulf-of-California-1024x768.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-19935\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nextgensd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/4-D-Geologic-Evolution-of-the-Gulf-of-California-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/nextgensd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/4-D-Geologic-Evolution-of-the-Gulf-of-California-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/nextgensd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/4-D-Geologic-Evolution-of-the-Gulf-of-California-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/nextgensd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/4-D-Geologic-Evolution-of-the-Gulf-of-California-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/nextgensd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/4-D-Geologic-Evolution-of-the-Gulf-of-California.jpg 1613w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-122a3c06 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"122a3c06\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.23.0 - 05-08-2024 *\/\n.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-stacked .elementor-drop-cap{background-color:#69727d;color:#fff}.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-framed .elementor-drop-cap{color:#69727d;border:3px solid;background-color:transparent}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap{margin-top:8px}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap-letter{width:1em;height:1em}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap{float:left;text-align:center;line-height:1;font-size:50px}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap-letter{display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t<strong>Title<\/strong>: 4-D Geologic Evolution of the Gulf of California\n<strong>Convener<\/strong>: Scott Bennett\n<strong>Participants<\/strong>: Will update soon.\nDiscussion\nIn this session, discussion will focus on the current state of binational research pertaining to the 4-D geologic evolution of the Gulf of California (in both time (1- D) and space (3-D)) and how this evolution has created the modern geological setting of the Gulf of California.\nThe session began with an introduction to the geologic evolution of the last 25 million years of the Gulf of California region, shown via paleogeographic maps and an animated tectonic reconstruction.\nPre-12.5 Ma (million years ago)\n&#8211; subduction zone offshore western Mexico &#8211; chain of volcanoes (Comundu arc) along axis of future Gulf of California &#8211; widespread volcanic eruptions and deposition of andesite lava flows and volcanic-rich sedimentary rocks along the peninsula\u2019s eastern margin\n12.5 &#8211; 6 Ma\n&#8211; at 12.5 Ma, the plate boundary along Baja CA evolves from subduction (compression) to transtension (both extension and right-lateral relative motion)\n&#8211; plate boundary between the Pacific and North American (PAC-NAM) tectonic plates during the proto-Gulf period (12.5 &#8211; 6 Ma) was characterized distributed across a wider region, known as the Gulf Extensional Province\n6 &#8211; 0 Ma\n&#8211; PAC-NAM plate boundary during modern-Gulf period (6 -0 Ma) was characterized by more localized faulting\n&#8211; large marine basins open up and are formed during this period throughout the Gulf\n0 Ma (Present-day)\n&#8211; present-day PAC-NAM plate boundary is located along the center and western portion of the Gulf of California and is directly connected to the San Andreas fault system in southern California\n&#8211; consists of multiple, discontinuous, right-lateral, strike-slip faults that connect extensional basins (pull-apart basins) that are bound by normal faults\n&#8211; recent large earthquakes (e.g. El Mayor-Cucupah, Ballenas channel) are evidence of active faulting along PAC-NAM plate boundary\nTIMING AND LOCATION OF MARINE SEAWAYS\nThe group discussed the evidence for marine seaways in the Gulf of California and the role these may have played in the diversity, distribution, and speciation of marine and terrestrial organisms.\nThe discussion focused largely on trans-peninsular seaways that are hypothesized to have existed across the Baja California peninsula at the latitudes of San Ignacio\/Santa Rosalia (~9-12 Ma and ~1.5 Ma) and La Paz (pre-3 Ma). These seaways would have created physical boundaries for many terrestrial species, and allowed dispersal between the Pacific and Gulf for marine taxa until seaway closure. The group discussed the evidence from numerous terrestrial species showing a genetic break between northern and southern populations in the center of the peninsula. Mitochondrial DNA and allozyme data suggest these breaks occurred ~1-2 Ma. Biologists frequently call upon trans-peninsular seaways to explain these patterns. Topographically, only a few low-elevation locations along the drainage divide permit a trans-peninsular seaway (e.g. San Ignacio\/Santa Rosalia and La Paz). Discontinuous outcrops or marine rocks provide clues of former trans-peninsular seaways. Understanding the geological source of these genetic discordances will enable scientists to unify the geological and biological histories and explain how the geological landscape has controlled the evolution of the Baja Californian and Gulf biota. Obtaining timing information about these biologic or geologic events is critical to linking these occurrences.\nFor studying younger patterns (Pleistocene, 1.8 &#8211; 0.01 Ma) within these species, the group debated the role of more rapid climate oscillations, such as global glacial-interglacial cycles. Such radical climate shifts would likely generate a patchwork of glacial refugia (reduced suitable habitat during ice ages) and post- glacial range expansion, which hold their own genetic signatures. Of particular interest to those working on islands is the bathymetry within the Gulf and its effect on island size and connectivity during glacial sea-level lowstands. Lowering sea level by the estimated 120 m greatly expands most islands and lowers the water dispersal barrier for their inhabitants.\nAdrian Munguia Vega shared some unpublished results from his dissertation \u00abHabitat Fragmentation in Small Vertebrates from the Sonoran Desert in Baja California\u00bb. Adrian showed a map depicting the location and abundance of genetic fragmentations (breaks) that he documented along the Baja California peninsula.\nSeminal papers that first observed these biotic breaks and population gradients were pointed out:\nHoward Scott Gentry (1949): \u201cLand plants collected by the Velero III, Allan Hancock Pacific Expeditions 1937-1941\u201d\nGuaymas Loreto \u2018biotherms\u2019\nForest Shreve (1951): \u201cVegetation of the Sonoran Desert\u201d\nTom Bowen mentioned unpublished research that observed Quaternary-age marine embayments along coastal Sonora that swept inland as far as 8-10 miles.\nIMPACT OF MARINE GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH ON MARINE MAMMALS\nScott brought up the need for future marine-based geological\/geophysical research in the Gulf of California to answer some key geologic questions. The marine sedimentary basins of the northern Gulf (e.g. Upper Tiburon, Upper Delfin, Consag, Wagner) preserve continuous records of climate and timing of basin formation. However, these geological records are relatively understudied. Common geophysical techniques that could be used for future research include (1) scientific drilling for rock and fossil collection and (2) seismic reflection that utilizes a controlled seismic source of energy. Scott asked the biologists in the group to share their knowledge of the impact such research might have on marine mammal populations (e.g. whales, dolphins). Noise from shipping and navy activities is well known to affect cetaceans. One suggestion was to avoid breeding seasons known from long-term monitoring of marine mammals, such as work by Hector Perez (Prescott College Kino Bay Station). Following the session, discussion with Hector Perez highlighted that many incidents of marine mammal deaths are difficult to directly link to human-derived sound, because the results of these sounds may take days or weeks to be detrimental and possibly lead to death. Further research is needed to better understand the role of human-derived sound on marine mammal deaths. The \u2018safe distance\u2019 from a noise source is also not well understood.\nWHERE CAN GULF OF CALIFORNIA CLIMATE RECORDS BE FOUND? The group discussed the potential geological and biological sources of climate data in the Gulf of California. The list included:\n<ul>\n\t<li>pack rat middens (back to ~43 ka)<\/li>\n\t<li>marine sedimentary records in the Gulf and southern California (faunal assemblages provide a constant climate record)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nOther, nearby sources can also be used:\n<ul>\n\t<li>lake sedimentary records glacial periods observed in the Sierra Nevada<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nUseful Links\nTanya Atwater\u2019s tectonic animations <a href=\"http:\/\/emvc.geol.ucsb.edu\/1_DownloadPage\/Download_Page.html\">http:\/\/emvc.geol.ucsb.edu\/1_DownloadPage\/Download_Page.html<\/a>\nNSF-MARGINS Program (Gulf of California Focus Site) <a href=\"http:\/\/www.nsf-margins.org\/RCL\/GoC\/GOC.html\">http:\/\/www.nsf-margins.org\/RCL\/GoC\/GOC.html<\/a>\nRon Blakey\u2019s Paleogeography Maps <a href=\"http:\/\/jan.ucc.nau.edu\/rcb7\/\">http:\/\/jan.ucc.nau.edu\/rcb7\/<\/a>\nTertiary Maps of SW North America <a href=\"http:\/\/www2.nau.edu\/rcb7\/terpaleo.html\">http:\/\/www2.nau.edu\/rcb7\/terpaleo.html<\/a>\nLate Tertiary Paleogeography of North America\n15 Ma: 8 Ma: 3 Ma: 126 ka: Present-day:\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www2.nau.edu\/rcb7\/namNm15.jpg\">http:\/\/www2.nau.edu\/rcb7\/namNm15.jpg<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www2.nau.edu\/rcb7\/namNm8.jpg \">http:\/\/www2.nau.edu\/rcb7\/namNm8.jpg <\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www2.nau.edu\/rcb7\/namNp3.jpg\">http:\/\/www2.nau.edu\/rcb7\/namNp3.jpg<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www2.nau.edu\/rcb7\/namQ.jpg\">http:\/\/www2.nau.edu\/rcb7\/namQ.jpg<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www2.nau.edu\/rcb7\/namPres.jpg\">http:\/\/www2.nau.edu\/rcb7\/namPres.jpg<\/a>\nUseful (free) Software\nGeo Map App <a href=\"http:\/\/www.geomapapp.org\/\">http:\/\/www.geomapapp.org\/<\/a>\nUseful (free\/cheap) mobile apps\nEarth observer ($1) <a href=\"http:\/\/www.earth-observer.org\/ http:\/\/itunes.apple.com\/us\/app\/earthobserver\/id405514799?mt=8\">http:\/\/www.earth-observer.org\/ http:\/\/itunes.apple.com\/us\/app\/earthobserver\/id405514799?mt=8<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Discussion will focus on the current state of binational research pertaining to the 4-D geologic evolution of the Gulf of California (in both time (1- D) and space (3-D)).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":19935,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[22],"tags":[],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/nextgensd.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1515"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/nextgensd.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/nextgensd.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nextgensd.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nextgensd.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1515"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/nextgensd.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1515\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":19942,"href":"https:\/\/nextgensd.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1515\/revisions\/19942"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nextgensd.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/19935"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/nextgensd.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1515"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nextgensd.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1515"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nextgensd.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1515"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}