Preliminary geologic map of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, California
Moore JG and Sisson TW. 1987. Preliminary geologic map of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, California. U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Open-File Report. 87-651. United States Geological Survey. Menlo Park, CA
This is a compilation of previous work done in the park by the authors and others using the same rock unit boundaries that appeared in the 15 minute USGS geologic maps, however, the names of the units have been grouped into a simpler classification scheme. Report section titles are: Quaternary volcanic rocks, Tertiary volcanic rocks, Granitoid rocks, Origin of the granitic rocks, Metasedimentary rocks, and Conditions and timing of metamorphism. This report describes and provides background for the accompanying preliminary geologic map of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks compiled on the special topographic map of the parks at a scale of 1:125,000. This geologic map of the pferks is one-half the scale of the 12 published geological quadrangle maps (scale 1:62,500) that cover more than half of the the parks area. Therefore it was necessary to simplify cartographic detail and to portray a minimum number of lithologic units. All of the various Quaternary deposits have been combined to a single map unit, which includes not only stream and lake deposits, landslides and talus, but also glacial deposits. About a hundred individual granitic masses, many of which represent separate plutonic intrusions emplaced at various times, have been combined into four compositional types belonging to two general age groups. Metamorphosed volcanic rocks are shown as a single unit, and metamorphosed sedimentary rocks are combined into three units according to composition: schist, marble, and quartzite. This open file map, and the explanatory text, is intended as a general assessment of the regional geology of the parks area, as a resource for planning further geologic research in the parks, and as a guide for the park interpretive staff in the geologic framework and geologic history of the parks. It is also an initial step in the preparation of a final map to accompany a popularized report on the geology of the parks.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Moore, James; Sisson, Thomas
- Date of Issue
- 1987
- Publisher
- United States Geological Survey
- Units
- HIST , SEKI
- Keywords
- CA, ehistory, Geology, History, Map, Physical Sciences, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks