Geology 103

Jaime Soto

Field Assignment

THE SAN BERNARDINO MOUNTAINS

INTRODUCTION• The San Bernardino Mountains are visible

from all of Los Angeles and the Inland Empire• I spend a lot of my time on leave from work in

Upland California which is at the southern base of the San Bernardino Mountains.

• The San Bernardino Mountains are home to many of Southern California nearest ski resorts like Mountain High, Snow Valley, and Big Bear.

• They are a huge reason why living in Southern California is so amazing because you can go to the beach in the morning and go snowboarding at night.

GEOLOGY OF THE SAN BERNARDINO MOUNTAINS• The San Bernardino Mountains include two major geologic-

geomorphic provinces of western North America. The Transverse Ranges and the Peninsular Ranges provinces.

• The mountains consist of a high, east trending elongate block that has been brought to its elevation within the past few million years.

• The mountains are bounded on their steep north side by a series of south-dipping thrust faults known as the north-frontal fault system.

• The highest point of the mountains is the San Gorgonio peak (11,485 feet). (Matti, 2000)

MAP OF WHAT I SEE OF THE MOUNTAINS

JEFFREY PINE• Pinus Ponderosa

• The Jeffrey Pine is found through much of California, southwestern Oregon, western Nevada, and Baja California

• It is a large, slow growing conifer that usually lives form about 400 to 500 years.

• Grows best at elevations of 6,000 to 9,000 feet.

(Gucker, 2007)

BOBCAT• Also known as Lynx Rufus

• The Bobcat can be found in all parts of the United States except for parts of the midwest.

• They can live between 13-15 years and are predominately carnivores.

• They are found all around the San Bernardino Mountains and sometimes are know to make their way down into local communities.

CALIFORNIA QUAIL• Callipepla Californica

• Can be found in the forests of California and in the Northwest.

• They spend most of their time walking around scratching at the ground for food.

• Also Californias State bird.

• This species is very popular with game hunters.

TYPES OF ROCKS FOUND IN THE SAN BERNARDINO MOUNTAINS

• Most of the rocks that make up the mountains in San Bernardino are ancient basement rocks that have been uplifted to their current elevation. (Matti, 1992)

CRYSTALLINE• Crystallie rock is any

rock composed entirely of crystalized minerals.

• This rock is found throughout the San Bernardino Mountains.

• Intrusive igneous rocks are almost always crystalline.

PEGMATITE• Pegmatite is an igneous

rock that is formed during the final stage of magma’s crystallization.

• To be classified as pegmatite, the rock must be composed crystals at least 1 centimeter in diameter.

• Can sometimes be sources of valuable minerals

METASANDSTONE• Metasandstone is from the

Proterozoic Z-Cambrian Era.

• Sedimentary Rock

GRANITE• Granite is an Igneous

Rock

• It forms through the slow crystallization of magma below the earths surface.

• Comprised mainly of Quartz and Feldspar.

QUARTZ• Quartz is a mineral found

in sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous rocks.

• Is abundant in all rocks found throughout the San Bernardino Mountains.

REFERENCES• Gucker, Corey L. 2007. Pinus jeffreyi. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S.

Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

• Blumen, L. (n.d.). California Quail. Retrieved from All About Birds: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/California_Quail/lifehistory

• Crystalline Rock. (n.d.). Retrieved from Encyclopedia Brittanica: http://www.britannica.com/science/crystalline-rock

• King, H. (2015). Granite. Retrieved from Geology: http://geology.com/rocks/granite.shtml

• King, H. (2015). Pegmatite. Retrieved from Geology: http://geology.com/rocks/pegmatite.shtml

• Matti, J. C. (2000). Geologic setting, San Bernardino National Forest. Retrieved from USFS: http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5207093.pdf

• Sheet, A. F. (2008). Animal Fact Sheet: Bobcat. Retrieved from Desert Museum: https://www.desertmuseum.org/kids/oz/long-fact-sheets/Bob-cat.php