ALIFORNIA NOVEMBER 1991

GEOLOGY

$1.25

DECOMPOSED GRANITE

-
-
Understanding California's Geology

CAUFOR'\lIA Our Resources Our Hazards

4
PETE WILSO\;, Go,·..,mo.
DEI'ART\1ENT STATE OFCALlFOR.\!IA
OF CONSERVATION DOUGLAS P. WHEELER. ""..-MMI
TIlE RESOURCES ACI;N(l
Division of EDWARD G. HEIDIG, .",,-'(Ior
Mines .1Ild Geology DEI'ARTM ENT Of CO'SERVATlO,,"
 In This Issue
CAUFORNIA
CALIFORNIA MINING ASSOCIATION TO HOLD 1992 MEETING 242
GEOLOGY SEISMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA ANNUAL MEETING
DECOMPOSED GRANITE
242
243
TIMBER HARVESTING IN GRANITIC TERRAIN
A PUBUCATJOH Of THE GRASS VALLEY CREEK. TRINITY COUNTY 250
OEPAR1lIENT OF CONSERVATION
DtVlSlOH OF MINES AND GEOlOGY BOOK REVIEWS 256
MAIL ORDER FORM 257
Stalf 01 Call1om.. PETE WILSON
DMG RELEASE-OPEN FILE REPORT 91-02 258
Governor
AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF PROFESSIONAL GEOLOGISTS HOLDS
The ~ Agency DOUGLAS P WHEELER CONFERENCE 259
$«:tBrary lor Resources ERIM'S FIRST THEMATIC CONFERENCE ON REMOTE SENSING
~aI'c:or-- EDWARDG HEIDlG FOR MARINE AND COASTAL ENVIRONMENTS 259
""- NEW STATE LAW PROHIBITS USE OF PLASTIC PIPE AS MINING
o.v-nol ....... &~ JAMESF DAVIS CLAIM MARKERS ON FEDERAL LANDS IN CALIFORNIA 259
,.""- GEOLOGIC TERMS OF SPANISH ORIGIN 260
CALIFORNIA GEOlOGY

Asscslant Technlcal Ed,lor~ e.se Mat!lSOl'l

AS$I$l8nt Eddor l.&I'Ia TaboloO Cover photo: DecompoSed graMe in the J'IOl'them Sierra Nevada
G,aphlCS al'ld Design Peggy Walll,ef and Decomposltton of the granite dunng weattlenng occurs preferen-
Ross Man,n tially along rectilinear fractures caned JOints (nght).leavlng core-
stones ot intact rock In the foreground is grus. decomposed graOile
PrImfId ~l 01 GeJwal se.v.ees that has disintegrated In a process called grusslticalion. Photo by
O!to;e oj SUI,. """ling GJ Saucedo.

llMIoan Headquarters "'6 N<nIh Street Room 1:M1

sac............ CA 958\.
91~182!i

~_~ClIlice California Mining Association

660 IlerCUI ClrrYe s . : t _ CA 9581'.0131
F'\.CIk: ~ 1'~5716 to Hold 15th Anniversary Meeting
loI A/!gIIn 0IIa· 107 Soo.Ah~, Room 1065
l.lII; MQIlI6. CA 10012-02 Key mining industry leaders will gather at the San Diego Hilton on March 3-6.
213-620-356CI 1992 for the California Mining Association's Annual Meeting.
Bay _ ~ 0IIa 11'5 Marl* SlnMI.

San F , . - CAitlQ3..1513
'1S-SS7·1500
CAliFORNIA GEOLOGY IISSN 002ll 'SSSj II putlIrsI>ed
month/)' by lIMI ~m.nt 01 Consarvauon. DivlAOl'l 01 "" ....
..-.clGooloo\l The RKOfdt O!l~lIar I059V",. SlINt, Bulle
103, Saclamenlo. CA 9581' Second <:Ius ~ .p'~ II
5IctamerllO.CA Poelm_ Send.cldrllad\iUlgftlO CAli-
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CA 95112·2980
A.pcnsClllnC*TW1QDmIoonol ....... _Gtology ptCIfeClS,
_""" 10 IN N f l h _ ..
The meeling's theme \.\lin be MMining In The 9O's - Q\al\enges and Changes"
and it\.\lill celebrate the Association's 15 years of industry representation. Respond-
ing to environmental concerns. permitting new operations. and educating the edu-
cators are some of the subjects that will be addressed during the three-day meeting.
Other activities include presentation of the Association's Excellence in Reclama-
tion. Safety. and Clementine awards.
For more information. contact the Association office: 1121 L Street. Soite 909.

---
c.or-. .. onc:ll.Ic*IIn1l'lol~ ~ Wlda. Sacramento.CA 95814. (916)447-1977Y
ptwllogr. . . - ..... -~.......,_.

TlE CONCI..l..ISlOHS ANO OPINIONS EXPAESS€O If\l

ARTICLES ARE SOl.ELY THOSE OF Tl£ AUTltORS AND Seismological Society of America (SSA)
ARE NOT lECESSARI.Y EMOORSEO BY THE DEPART·
MENT Of CONSERVATION Annual Meeting
~_Ile",*,,-IOEdo!l;o', CAlIFOR- Santa Fe. New Mexico
NIA GEOLOGY &60 8er<::uI 0..... Sllc:ramemo, CA 158'"
0131 April 14 16. 1992
M

~ $10 00
SIncl &ubSCnpbOn _
'*
and
'j'NI $tngIII copoft 51 ~ Nd'l
<:I\anolt at aooreu. 1nI00matoon
The 87th annual meeting of the SSA will include symposia on the ~U.S./
10 CALIFORNIA GEOLOGY, P 0 Bo_ 2980. SactamenlO, C" USSR Joint Seismic Program:' ~Structure and Deformation of Continental Rifts.~
958\2-2980 MNew Madrid Seismic Zone." "Seismicity 01 the Basin and Range. Mand ~ Array
Seismology. ~

November 1991Nolume 44JNumber 11 For more infonnation contact: James Ni. Department of Physics.
Box 3000 1. New Mexico State University. Las Cnx:es. NM 88003.
CGEOA 44 (11) 241-264 (1991) 15051 646-1920. v

2<, CAUFQRNIA GEOLOGY NOVEMBER 1991

 DECOMPOSED GRANITE
DAVID l. WAGNER, Geologist
Division of Mines and Geology

Photo 1. Decomposition and erosion have sculptured granllic rock on Twin Peaks near South Lake Tahoe. Photo by;, Hildinger.

INTRODUCTION GRANITIC ROCKS

ranitic rocks are exposed throughout California, particularly
G in the mountainous regions of the Slate (Figure l). Granitic
rocks are lough and resistant before weathering. but decompose
10 form a soft granular material that is easily eroded. Distinctive.
peculiar fonns develop on decomposed granitic rock as il erodes
(Pholo 1). The granular weathering product of granitic rocks is
called grus. The process of grus formation is caned grussification.
Foresters. road builders. and others VJho must contend VJith
erosion problems in granitic telTain refer to grus as decomposed
granite or simply "DG:'
Granitic rocks are composed of lightly interlocked grains of
feldspar, quartz. and dark minerals-biotite. hornblende. and
pyroxene. Granitic rocks are classified and given names such as
granite. granodiorite. or quartz diorite. based on the proportions
of potassium feldspar, plagioclase feldspar. and quartz in each
rock. 1he term granite Is often loosely applied to all granitic
rocks although true granite is not abundant in California.
Granitic rocks are fanned when molten rock. or magma,
invades preexisting rocks deep within the crust 01 the Earth.

CALifORNIA GEOlOGY NOVEMBER \991

'"
 The magma cools slowly, allowing the feldspar. quartz. and dark minerals to crystallize into inter-
locking grains that are large enough to identify \.\lith the naked eye. Eventually the magma solidifies
into bodies of granitic rock called plutons. Numerous plutons emplaced over large spans of geologic
lime form granitic masses. called batholiths, which contain astounding volumes of rock. The Sierra
Nevada batholith, for example. crops oul over an area about 400 miles (650 km) long and up to
50 miles (80 km) across in California alone. As uplift and erosion proceed. the surface rock is
stripped away to expose the granitic rock to weathering.

Weathering of Granitic Rocks

Umveathered granitic rock gives a resounding ring when struck \.\lith a hammer. In contrast.
weathered granitic rock gives a dull thud when struck wilh a hammer. Fresh rock is usually
• ~. greenish 10 bluish gray; weathered granitic rock is usually chalky white \.\lith orange iron
'('" stains. The end product of granitic rock weathering is a sandy, clay-rich soil. The pro-
~ I" ~, cess takes place in stages as shown in Figures 2a and 2b.
Sierra
, Nevada
, ,
" ~"
In the first stage, fresh rock begins to weather along fractures
~
batholith
\ "'" (cover photo and photo 2), Decay of the granitic rock occurs along a front

~\
'7
,~.:.. ''''", that progresses inward, parallel to fracture surfaces. In this stage the
" ..
~ .... ,..,.''-.>.
" I' '-,
~

~
rock is stjll hard but it takes on a white color. Microscopically.
~ "I '. , "'" the rock appears unchanged (Wahrhaltig, 1965). At this stage
,
" ~.~,..,_, 'It
the rock is still essentially fresh.

During stage two the granitic rock begins to disinte·

~-'~'- -,'~'..... \,
0
C'<!'
.,.,
'-
_......
~
•
..,,.
~. _.•
~
J .(
\'..
~, .(
':
grate to yield grus and core-stones. Grus is fragmental
material consisting of granules of feldspar, quartz. horn-
blende, and biotite. Core-stones are rounded boulders of
"",

"'''''."
". )'
intact rock that may be fresh or decomposed. Photo 3
shows a core'stone surrounded by grus.
c9_---''''o,---'---""i"''------''I~O MILES .- l,
_._~-1
c9__c'"i"''--_-''2!lO KILOMETERS

Figure 1. Distribution 01 granitic rocks in California, Modified from

Norris and Webb, /976.

,., - - - -
,
- - -
,
-1- - - - -
,
,,,
~
SANDY CLAY-RICH
SOIL ,,
(J'
, ,
DECot.1POSED GRANITE
>-85% WEAllEAEO FlOCK
- - - -
','
,
~ ~ ~

I
- _1-
I
, .;;;
_

. '"
1"
CORE-$TONES '-;''::''''
",',',',
1~""£AnEREDAOCK . ,.,',',
., , ~ ,~,

p, ":"';"iliill"'iliili"","',',
.",,,-,-,- -,-,-,-, ,-,-,-,-,-
,',',',',' ',',',', ,',',',','
~~~g~~ :;:;:;:; ;~~~g~~~
FRESH ROCK
~,s..WEAnEREOAOCK ,:""" "''''-,-,-'I'-,-,',',-
" ,',',',',',',',', ,',',',','
""",'-'
" " " " " " " " ' " ,',',',','
,',',',',',',',',',
,~,~ ,~,~, ~,~, ~,~, ~'.' ~,~, ~ ,~, ~

Figure 2b. Stages of weathering of granitic rock. During

stage one the rock begins to weather by taking on a white
color but the rock IS shll essentially fresh. During stage two
the granitic rock begins to break down to form grus and core·
stones. During stage three the rock has disintegrated [0 form
grus With only remnant core·stones present. During stage
Figure 2a. Block diagram illustrating the development 01 core· four the grus has weathered to a clay·rich sandy soil.
stones and grus. Modified from Huber. 1987. Modified from Durgin, /977.

". CALIFORNIA GEOLOGY NOVEMBER 1991

Photo 2. Jointed granitic rOCk in northern Yosemite NallOnal Park Photo by DC Wagner

- - ...... ~- -- --- ... -

•
•
PhOlO 3 A deeply weathered granitIC core-Slone petched on decomposed granitIC rock near EbbE!ts Pass.
While granular malenal in loreground and background is grus. The core-stone shows typical spherOIdal
wealhenng Photo by J Hlldtnger.

CAUfORNLA GEOlOGY NOVEMBER \991 ,.,

 Photo 4. Extollalion developed in decomposed granltic rock. This exfotiation causes fhe spheroidal weathering typical ot core-stones.
Photo by J. Hi/dinger.
Feldspar weathers by altering to sericite (a mica mineral) and
biotite alters to clay minerals such as vermiculite. 1bese alter-
ation reactions involve a volume increase that causes micro-
scopic fractures to develop (Wahrhaftig. 1%5). As a result. there
is an increase in permeability and a decrease in the tenacity of
the rock. The rock's increased permeability alloo.vs the intrOOoc-
tion of more water to further weather the mineraJs. Moreover.
the clay minerals expand when I.vet. thereby enIarglng the frac-
tures. Wahrhaltig (19651 observed that the fractures radiate from
the biolite grains and cut across the feldspar, quartz. and h0rn-
blende grains. This observation was later confinned by
Isherwood and Street (1976). As the rock weakens. concentric
suriaces paraJlelto the I.Ueathering front develop. imparting a
noticeable exfoliation pattern to the rock (Photo 4). Differential
,. CAUFQRNlA GEOlOGY
erosk>n strips away v.oeakened rock to leave the core-stones.
sometimes referred to as tors (Photo 5).
Intact decomposed granitic rock is similar to fresh granitic
rock in texture and mineral composition but there are significant
physical differences. Unweathered biotite is shiny and block.
Weathered biotite is shiny yelbu (Photo 6). Fresh unfractured
granitic rock is impermeable. The expansion of the OOtite
during weathering increases the permeability and porosity while
decreasing the bulk density by about 25 percent (lsherwocx:l
and Street, 1976). These physical changes are important fac-
tors in the sk>pe stability and the erodibi~ty of decomposed gra·
nitic rock.
NOVEMBER 1991
 '.~.
',_:A'v
/' ;;I.;.
./ ,: [/ r,.r
" .r;: ; ,
l /"',
,?-',..'
. r,:, to'.·"
.r.::-.;~'.(
•• ",P" ..
;~
'.,'
r"
~
J.'
I , .. , .
j ~", '.

Photo 5. Boulder core-stones formed by differential weathering of decomposed granitic rock. Photo by J, Hi/dinger.

Stage three of the decomposition process is the actual
grussification of the remaining core-stones. Continued fracturing
and mineral alteration causes the rock to disintegrate. leaving the
granular material. grus.
The fourth and final stage is the weathering of grus to clay-
rich sandy soil. The clay is usually kaolinite and the sand grains
are dominantly quam. Feldspar and the dark minerals have been
completely weathered.
EROSION AND SLOPE STABILITY PROBLEMS
OF DECOMPOSED GRANITIC ROCK
Decomposed granitic rock and grus are extremely erodible
and have a high debris-flow susceptibility. Serious erosion prob-
lems can occur after timber harvesting or in the aftennath of
forest fires. Landslides are not common on slopes underlain by
fresh granitic rock, due to its impenneability and strength. In
contrast. weathered granitic rock is pel1Tleable and. during in-
tense rainfall. can become saturated with water. When the pore
pressure exerted by the water exceeds the strength of the rock.
the VJeathered mass instantaneously becomes fluid and a debris
flow occurs. During floOOs of January 1982 the San Francisco
Bay region had very destructive debris flows. termed debris tor-
rents (Reneau. 1988), that demolished many homes in the gra-
nitic terrain at Invemess. westem Marin County. The slopes in
the Inverness area are steep and VJere. prior to the 1982 stann,
remarkably free of landslides. However, during 10- to IS-minute
pulses of intense rainfall (Reneau. 1988). the decomposed

CALIFORNIA GEOLOGY NOVEMBER 1991

 Photo 6. Close-up view of decom-
posed granite. The dark grains
are weathered biotite and the
white grains are weathered felds·
par. The fine golden matenal is
also weathered biotite. The penny
gives the photograph scale.
Photo by D. L. Wagner.

granitic rock became saturated and failed.

resulting in debris torrents that moved along
drainages as fast as 32 feet/second (Reneau.
1988). Photo 7 shows the track of a debris
torrent that nowed down a drainage during
the 1982 stonn. The debris torrent stripped
away the vegetation and scoured the decom-
posed granite down to fresh bedrock along
the drainage. The debris. slurries of water
and decomposed granite. swept tree trunks
and foliage downslope. lilrge amounts of
decomposed granite were deposited in flat
canyon bottoms. Photo 8 shows the top of a
pickup truck thai was buried by decomposed
granite from debris torrents during the 1982
storm.

Photo 7. Track 01 a debns torrent developed in granitic terrain 01 Inverness. Marin

County during the storm of January 1982. The debris torrent scoured through de-
composed granite to fresh bedrock (top 01 photo). At the bottom ot the photo is the
base otlhe slope where decomposed granite (grus) and logs were deposited.
Photo by D. L. Wagner.

'" CALIFORNIA GEOLOGY NOVEMBER 1991

 PhOIO 8. A PICkup lruck buned by grus deposlled In a flat canyon bollom by a debns lorrent dUring the January 1982 Slorm in Inverness.
Mann County. The top of lhe cab IS all thaI IS exposed; the reSI of the truck is buried. Photo by D. L. Wagner.

REFERENCES

Durgin. P.B.. 1977, Landslides and the weathering of graOilic rodl.s:
Geological Society of America. Reviews in Engineering Geology,
v.3. p.127·131.
Huber. King N.. 1987. The geologic story of Yosemite National Pam:
U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 1595. p. 36.
Isherwood. D.. and Street A.. 1976, Biollte-induced gruSSlhcalJOn of
the Boulder Creek Granodiorite. Boulder County. Colorado: Goo·
logical Society 01 America Bullelln. v. 87. p. 366·370,
Norris, R. M., and Webb, R.W., 1976, Geology of CalifornIa; John
Wiley and Sons. New Yom, p. 20.
Reneau, S.l.. 1988. Inverness area. conlribullOn to Ellen. S. D..
DeSCription and mechaniCS of soil slip/debris flows In lhe Slorm.
in Ellen, S.D.. and Wieczorek, G.F.. editors. landslides. floods,
and manne effects of the slorm of January 3·5. 1982, In the San
Fraoosco Bay region. California: U. S. Geological Survey Profes,
Sional Paper 1434, p. 70-79.
Wahrhaftlg. C.. 1965, Slepped lopography of the southern Sierra
Nevada, California: Geo~lcal Society of America Bulletin,
v. 76. p 1165-1190. y

CALIFORNIA GEOLOGY NOVEMBER 1991

'"
 TIMBER HARVESTING IN GRANITIC TERRAIN
Grass Valley Creek
Trinity County, California

TAINDA L. BEDAOSSIAN, Engu'16enng GeologIst

Division 01 Mines and Geology

INTRODUCTION

Grass Valley Creek. located in eastern R9W RaW

T mity County south of Highway 299 -i-------~-~-~I~:;~~~~~~~·----i
(see location map), drains an area under- I I
lain primarily by decomposed granitic I I
rocks. The drainage is a major contlibutor I I
of sediment to the upper Trinily RiYef, I I
I
Between 5()(!1l and 7()l1b 01 the sediment
originating from the Grass Valley water-
I \k~;;;=:!>T 34N
I
shed has been attributed to land manage- I
ment aetMlJes. including road con- I
struction associated with limber harvest- 1
ing (Soil Conservation Service. 1986). I
The California Department of Forestry 1
and Fire Protection (CDf) regulates lim-
1
'--7/'''~-:J)--- --
ber harvesting on Slate and private lands 1;, J. t
in California. In 1986 CDF coordinated ~"l
an interdisciplinary task force to develop
special mitigation measures 10 be included
in timber harvesting plans in the Grass
Valley Creek watershed and other areas
where decomposed granite is a problem.
The Department of Conservation's Divi-
sion of Mines and Geology (DMGI Timber
Harvest Plan Review Project staff partici-
pated in the development of these mitiga-
tion measures and now provide technical
input in the review of individual timber
harvesting plans proposed for the water-
shee!. This article focuses on the geologi-
cal aspects of the Grass Valley Creek
watershed and the various measures used \~ (... 3 O~(GOJf

to reduce erosion resulting from timber '7

\\"~
,•
harvesting.
N ' . •
BACKGROUND •0
During the past 30 years. salmon and
steelhead spawning-populalions along the
t lR<:.lY
COU~ty
•
•
TIinity River in northern California have \
declined by an estinated 80''1;" largely be-
cause of habitat k>ss aboove Trinity Dam.
reduced nanrral fb.vs. and heavy sedi- MIlES
mentation In the drainage (Ounlap.l990l
Historically. late winter flows were suffi-
cient to flush sediment from the T Tinily locatlOtl map. Grass Valley Creek (modified lrom CDF. 1991).

CAUFORNIA GEOlOOY NOVEJ.ABER 1991

River Although sedimentation problems
existed in Grass Valley Creek when the The steepness or grade of a slope IS expressed as a ratIO (usually honzontalto vertJ-
cal), a IractlOn (such as leet per mile). a percenlage 01 nonzontal distance. or the angle
area was heavily logged between 1940 !rom nonzontal EqUIValent expresSlOflS 01 grade lollow (lor example. 1 4;1 IS equlVa-
and 1960. the Trinity River was able to !em to 400'"4, Of approximately 76 ).
transpOrt sediment added by logging 0p-
eratiOnS. Since the completion of Trinlry
Percentage of
Dam in the early 1960s. however. the Horizontal Venical Horizontal Distance Approximate Angle
Trinity River's sediment transJXll1 capac-
ity has been significantly reduced because
of the diversion of water in its upper 1/4 I 400% 76
reaches. Sediments fonnerfy flushed
downstream by high spring runoff now 1121 200% 63
accumulate as a result of controlled flows 1: 1 l00'~ 45
(Alpen and Reichmuth. 1990). Recently.
efforts have been made by government 2: 1 50% 26
agencies. private organizations. and cili-
zens to restore the fisheries and to reduce 3,1 33.3% 18
the potential for sedimentation in the
Trinity River and its tributaries.

GRASS VAllEY CREEK

Grass Valley Creek f\ows west from age Shasta Bally batholith Granite in Abrams Mica Schist (DeI..unian age):
Shoemaker Bally (a bally is a mOlmtaln) the Grass Valley Creek watershed decom- mafic volcanic rocks of !he Salmon Horn-
on the TrinitylShasla County divide and poses to depths of 60 feet (18 m). blende Schist (Devonian age): slate and
empties into the Trinily RiYer 7 miles According to Alpert and Reichmuth s1ary mudstone. sandstone. and minor
(1 1 km) below Lewiston Dam (see kxa· (1990). !he decomposed granite in Grass pebble conglomerate of !he Bragdon For·
too map). 1he Grass Valley Creek water- Valley Creek has high sand and gravel matoo (Mississippian age): gneiss deriYed
shed encompasses approximatejy 36 comJXlOCl1t5 (apprOximately 45--5()llb from the Bragdon Formation and Copky
square miles (23.000 acres or 93 kJnl) "'"" and 25-30% g"""'! Greenstone (Devonian age) in !he aureole
of rugged mountainous terrain that varies of !he Shasta Bally batholith: continental
in elevation from 6.000 feet 0.830 m) In the b.o.'l?r 20' IJ of !he watershed are sedimentary rocks. chiefly pebble and
near Shoemaker Bally to 1.600 feet schistose metasedimentary rocks of the cobble conglomerates of the Weaverville
(488 m) at the mouth of Grass Valley
Creek Nearly 80% of the slopes in the
area exceed 50% (see table). Annual pre-
cipilation ranges from 30 to 45 inches
(75 to 115 cm) at lo...; er elevations and
from 60 to 75 inches (150 to 190 cm)
in the upper reaches of the watershed
(CDF.I99I).

Qo..>er 80")6 of the Grass Valley Creek

watershed is oo.vned by private timber
companies aoo individuals: the remainder
is ov.rned by State and federal agencies.
ApprOximately 95% of the watershed is
covered by stands of commercial conifers.
principally ponderosa pine and Douglas
fir (CDF. 1991). Stands of young-grOOlth
timber are interspersed u:ith patches
of oak 1,IJ()()(\1and. brush. and grassy
openings.

1he highly eroclible coarse-grained
soils of the upper 80% of the Grass
Valley Creek watersl1ed are derived from
decomposed granite (quartz diorite and
granodiorite) of the Early Cretaceous
Photo I Eany timber /\arvest,ng practICeS In the Grass Valley watershed and nearby drain·
ages resulted In a dense network or skid traJls (trails lor moVing lorest products) on erodible
decomposed granlle SOIls Mlligatlon measures applied today In Grass Valley Creek coniine
skid trails to ridge tops and contoured lateral trails (trails that follow the contour 01 a slope)
and prohibit their construction on slopes greater than 50% In steepness. Photo taken In 1990.
Phoros by author (taken W!fh permlss!on from Champion Inrerna/!onal Corporallon).

CALIFORNIA GEOLOGY NOVEMBER 1991

'"
Fonnation (Oligocene to Miocene age):
and a serpentinized peridolite-gabbro
complex that hClS yielded early Paleozoic
radiometric ages (Fraticelli and others.
1987: Irwin. 1%3; Strand. 1962).
Large areas of undifferentiated land-
slide deposits are also mapped along the
western side dlhe Grass Valley Creek
drainage. According to Irwin (1 %3) these
large slide areas generally OCCW" in ultra-
mafic and gabbroic rocks. and along
zones of intense shearing. Landsliding in
granitic terrain is generally sma1Ier scale
and OCCU~ as localized slumping or talus
deposits along road cuts and stream chan-
nels. CoDuviaI dep:l:sits located in SUIaIes
are also susceptible to debris flows
and tOlTenIS. panktJlarly when decom-
posed granite 00 Sleep slopes becomes
Sollturated.
ErOSIOn and sedimentation

&osk>n of granitic soils on both sides

of the drainage has resulted in the influx
of an average of 170.370 cubic yards
(130.000 ml) of sediment into the Trinity
River annually.· TIle Trinity River Resto-
ration Pro;ect. under supervision of the
Bureau of Reclamation. has recently
installed two structures to reduce the
amount of sediment entering the Trinity
River from Grass Valley Creek (CDF.
1991). Buckhorn Dam impounds sedi-
ment from the upper quaner of the water-
shed. thus reducing sediment influx by
about 27.5%.· A low levy system (Hamil-
ton Ponds) also impounds sediment where
the creek enters the Trinity River.
Prior to construction of Buckhorn
Dam. a field survey was conducted by the
Soil Conservation Service (1986) to docu-
ment erosion rates. estimate sediment
yield, and evaluate polential1and treat-
ment methods for reducing sediment
transport to the Trinity River. TIle survey
determined thai approximately 209f:J of
the sediment yield WClS from sheet and rill
erosion (even erosion by sheets of water
and uneven erosion by numerous rivulets)
on upland slopes. Over half of the accel-
erated erosion in the Grass Valley Creek
watershed was attributed to roods. both
public and private. According to CDF
(l99l) approximately 250 miles (400 km)
of roods exist in the watershed. including
• 1<orNr. J .. Sol Comeoecion SeMce. or.!
COlTImlII'IIC-'IIOn. 1991
Photo 2. Water diverSIOn along roads and slod trails can cause severe surface erOSIOn
and gullying where appropl"lata mltIQatllle measures ara not applied. Photo taken In 1990.
76 miles (120 km) of skid trails (Photo 1)
and 30 miles {48 km) of State, county. and
private roads not belonging to limber com-
panies. Approximately 85% of the roads
are used for timber harvesting actlvities
(limber access, haul roads. and skid trails).
The Soil Conservation Service (1986)
concluded that the removal of surface soil
layers and vegetation during road construc-
tion has resulted in rapid sheet. till. and
gully erosion on road cut slopes. fill slopes.
and road surfaces. ErOOed material that
accWTIulates on road surfaces at the base
of the cut slopes eventually blocks surface
drainage 00 roads with inside ditches and
diverts water. causing gullying. Sediment
caught in stream crossings that are inad·
equately designed or sized may also plug
streams. causing diversions and resulting
in significant gully networks (Photo 2)
Increased and concentrated nmofl in
upland areas can also result in accelerated
erosion and modification of stream drain-
ages. Reuse or reopening of roads can
result in a renewed cycle of accelerated
erosion if appropriate mitigative measures
are not applied.
Timber Harvesting
According to CDF (1991). most of the
okl-grOW1h timber in the VJatershed was
logged between 1940 and 1960. large-
scale operations began after World War ll.
Records are not available for harvesting op-
erations before 1974. when timber harvest
plans were first required under the Z'Berg-
Nejedly Forest Practice Act. Since 1974
timber harvest plans have been submitted
to CDF for approximately 12.056 acres
(50 km2). Plans for about 7.000 of these
acres (30 km2j were reviewed by an inter-
disciplinaJY review team using the special
mitigation measures developed in 1986.
Almost all of the lands were. and continue
to be. harvested using partial cut tech-
niques. Only 3 of the 12.056 acres were
clearcut for a land-use conversion. TImber
was harvested by tractor 0.443 acres or
30 km2). cable (63 acres or .25 km2). and
helicopter (4.550 acres or 20 km'l).
Early harvesting practices in the Grass
Valley Creek watershed gave little consid-
eratkln to environmentaL water quality.
fish and wildlife. aesthetic. or long-term

252 CALIFORNIA GEOlOGY NOVEMBeR 1991


Photo 3. Seeding of roadbeds and proper installation of erosion control sfructures. as
required by the special mitigation measures now employed in Grass Valley Creek, can result
in significant reduction of erosion along roads and skid trails in decomposed granite. Photo
taken in 1990.
productivity concerns (Fisher. 1991).
Many roads were constructed in water-
courses with minimal regard for future
use. Reforestation was not a common
practice as it is today. and harvested areas
were left to regenerate naturally. Accord-
ing to Fisher (1991). re-entries (reopen-
ings) of and repairs to road systems did
not take place until 1979 when consider-
ation was given to using roads that could
be reconstructed with the least impact to
streams and overall sediment production.
Mitigation measures were employed that
held adverse impacts to a tolerable level
until the area received record-level rainfall
in 1983 and 1985-86. DUring this time it
became apparent that standards set forth
in the Forest Practice Rules were not ad-
equate for controlling accelerated erosion
in decomposed granite.
RECOMMENDED MITIGATION
MEASURES
In 1986. the Trinily County Board of
Supervisors requested that the Board of
Forestry adopt special rules for timber
harvesting on decomposed granite soils in
Trinity County. In response. CDF fonned
an interagency task force to develop miti-
gation measures for timber harvesting in
the Grass Valley Creek watershed. Assist-
ing in this effort were members of the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. U.S.
Forest Service. U.S. Soil Conservation
Service. North Coast Regional Water
Quality Control Board. DMG. Trinity
County Planning Department. Trinity
County Resource Conservation District.
Trinity County Soard of Supervisors.
Champion International Corporation. and
Santa Fe Pacific.
The task force first met in the spring of
1986 to review several active and com-
pleted limber harvesting plans in Grass
Valley Creek and discuss the effectiveness
of the mitigations applied under the exist-
ing Forest Practice Rules. Following this
review. the task force developed an addi-
tional list of '"Recommended Mitigation
Measures for Timber Operations in
Decomposed Granite Soils with Particular
Reference to Grass Valley Creek and
Nearby Drainages" (CDF. 1986). These
CALIFORNIA GEOLOGY NOVEMBER 1991
mitigative measures were used voluntarily
in the preparation and review of limber
harvesting plans for the Grass Valley
Creek watershed. Areas identified as
needing mitigation beyond that required
by existing Forest Practice Rules include:
Road Construction. To use favorable
topography and minimize excavation.
timber harvesting plan preparation should
include investigation of altemate road
locations. Mitigations at specific sites
shouk! be described in detail so timber
operators know exactly what is expected.
New road construction within the Water~
course Protection Zone is prohibited un-
less it is shown to reduce impact to the
watercourse. Consideration also must be
given to minimizing fill sections on slopes
greater than 50%, using specified tech-
niques that do not place erodible material
on the slope below the road. Cut slopes
must be left as steep as possible without
exceeding 1/4: 1. and road widths are
limited to 12 feet (3.6 m) to minimize cut
height. Benns are recommended only
when they are necessary to protect fill
sections on pennanent roads. Where
crossings are removed. the approaches
and adjacent fill slopes must be annored
with competent angular rock or other
material providing equal or increased
protection. The special mitigations also
contain specifications for culvert sizing.
culvert installation, and compaction of fill
materials used around culverts. Roadbeds
must be sloped outward at 2% to disperse
waler. except for short distances immedi-
ately above culverts and/or where
outsloping will result in the diversion of
runoff onto fill slopes longer than 10 feet
(3 m) or onto soils without vegetation.
Road Reconstruction. The special
mitigations require evaluation of recon-
struction versus new construction. rea~
sons for the selections. and identification
of previous failures on the plan map.
Erosion Control. All roads and skid
trails are rated as extreme (&osion Haz-
ard Rating) and all Forest Practice Rules
for extreme erosion hazard conditions
apply. Various measures for the control
of water discharge from all drainage struc-
tures are specified for both permanent
and temporary roads. including water-
break construction. cut and fill slope stabi-
lization. and use of energy dissipators. In
addition. all pennanent roads must be
253
rocked and all temporary crossings must
be removed before each winter and upon
completion of logging. The watercourse
channels at temporary crossings must be
brought back to natural grade and ar-
mored with competent angular rock. All
temporary road running surfaces must be
scarified. seeded. mulched. and fertilized
after use to establish a vegetative cover
(Photo 3). Landings (forest product stor-
age areas). kept to a minimum size and
number. must be located away from wa-
tercourses and outside of the Watercourse
Protection Zones. and bare or loose soils
must be stabilized and/or revegetated.
If watercourses cross existing landings.
they must be armored and stabilized. To
minimize skid trail construction. logs
within 100 feet (30 m) of a skid trail on
slopes exceeding 30% must be haroested
from that skid trail (endlined). Skid trails
must be confined to ridge tops or con-
toured lateral trails. The construction of
skid trails on slopes over 50% is prohib-
...
~
J'
.. , ~

. .'.
'
'

./ ~,..~.,
.~

ited. Waterbreaks must be constructed at

25-foot (7.5-meterl intervals for the first • . ."
-~ ." •
..•.
100 fee! (30 m) on skid trails that enter -".~ 'f.

or exit haul roads and landings. and at no
more than 50-foot (IS-meter) intervals
elsewhere. Waterbreaks must be located
to discharge water into natural vegetation.
Where this is not possible. slash or straw
bales will be placed at the discharge point
or waterbreak spacings will be reduced to
25 feet (7.5 m). Straw mulch. slash. or
natural vegetation must be used to control
waterbreak discharge and to control sur-
lace water erosion on skid trails 100 feet
(3D m) lrom where they join landings or
haul roads (photo 4).
Watercourse Protection. Watercourse
Protection Zones and Equipment Exclu-
sion Zones wider than those required by
the Forest Practice Rules were specified
by the task lorce. Watercourse Protection
Zones must be flagged prior to the
preharoest inspection and the location of
watercourse crossings must be shown on
the plan map. In addition. the application
of various soil-stabilization measures are
specified.
Watercourse Crossings. Watercourse
crossings must be designed so water
nows cannot be diverted onto road nm-
ning surfaces. Specifications for installing
perrnanent crossings include minimizing
excavations. using riprap (rocks laid down
to prevent erosion) at inlets or installing
Photo 4. Special mitigation measures for timber harvesting in decomposed graMe in Grass
Valley Creek specify that seed. straw mulch. and fertilizer be used on skid trails for a dis·
tance of 100 teet from where they join landings or haul roads. Photo taken in 1990.
flared inlets. crossing watercourses at
right angles where possible. installing cul-
verts along the natural channel grade. and
controlling the direction of the discharge.
In addition. culverts must be sized for a
SO-year-retum-interval storm. Specifica-
tions for installing temporary crossings
include analyzing the use of a culvert ver-
sus a Humboldt (removable log) crossing.
limiting culvert diameters to a minimum
of 18 inches (45 cm). using washed rock
as fill. and employing various methods for
minimizing ground disturbance during the
installation and removal of such crossings.
Stabiliza/ion. Stabilization measures
include specific seed mixtures to be used
on north-facing slopes. wet sites. moder-
ately wet sites. harsh dry sites. and dry
sites where existing grass stands are
found. The measures also specify fertilizer
and straw mulch application rates and
procedures.
'.
< .'
'- , ....... ;:: •
...... "
...'
•
&hedules. Because autumn rains can
cause serious erosion problems if certain
schedules are not met. the mitigation
measures prohibit all operations between
November 15 and April L Also. all log
skidding. waterbreak construction. and
stabilization work must be completed by
October IS of each year.
SilViculture (forestry). In addition to
silvicultural requirements in the Forest
Practice Rules. all trees to be cut musl be
marked prior to the preharvesl inspec-
tion. The review team must evaluate the
adequacy of protective vegetative cover
that will remain following haroesling.
Maintenance. Maintenance is required
for 3 years following the conclusion of
timber haroesting operations. Mainte-
nance includes repair of drainage struc-
tures and erosional controls.

25' CALIFORNIA GEOLOGY NOVEMBER 1991

 Task force members reconvened in late
1990 to evaluate the success of the mitiga-
tions used in Grass Valley Creek timber
harvesting plans and to assess the need
for revisions. Although the task force
found the mitigation measures to have
been generally effective. some members
felt that the below-nonnal rainfall since
1986 may not have been sufficient to test
the effectiveness of the measures used to
mitigate erosion.
The measures. revised in March 1991
to address observed deficiencies. have
been used routinely on decomposed gra-
nitic soils and for other similar erosive soil
conditions throughout the State.
Copies of the "Recommended Mitiga-
tion Measures for Timber Operations in
Decomposed Granite Soils with Particular
Reference to Grass Valley Creek and
Nearby Drainages" can be obtained from
the California DepaJ1ment of Forestry and
Fire Protection. Forest Practices Section.
P.O. Box 944246. Sacramento. CA
94244-2460.
Alpert, M.J" and Reichmuth, F.C., 1990.
Grass Valley Creek watershed; California
Regional Water Ouality Control Board.
North Coast Region, Executive Officer's
Summary Report, June 27, 11 p.
California Department of Forestry and Fire
Protection, 1986. Recommended mitlga-
lion measures for timber operations In
decomposed granite soils With particular
reterence to Grass Valley Creek and
nearby drainages. revised March t991:
Unpublished. 9 p.
Cahfornla Department of Forestry and Fire
Protection, 1991, Board ot Forestry Field
Trip. Grass Valley Creek and TriOity River
Conservation Camp. June 4: Unpublished
gUidebook. 71 p.
Corrections: September 1991 issue.
Photo 2 on page 196 shows liquefaction damage to railroad tracks but IS not a
close-up o! Photo 1.
Photo 3 on page 197 shows a collapsed portion of Highway 1 over Struve
Slough.
Mike Ryme(s photo (Photo 8, page 201) of a rockfall on Eureka Canyon Road
is from a set of 36 slides in U.S. Geological Survey Open File Report 89·687:/
CONCLUSION
Efforts to reduce sedimentation in
Grass Valley Creek continue. A pre-
harvest inspection review team evalu-
ates each timber harvesting plan
submitted for Grass Valley Creek and
nearby drainages. The team consists of
CDF's review team chairman and for-
est practice inspection officer, and
representatives of the Department of
Fish and Game. the Regional Water
Quality Control Board. Trinity County.
the Soil Conservation Service. and
DMG The Registered Professional
Forester and the plan applicant usually
attend. The use of the special mitiga-
lion measures is voluntary. However.
once accepted by the review team
they. along with the Forest Practice
Rules. become an enforceable part of
the timber harvesting plan.
Recently, during the review process.
there has been added emphasis placed
on the evaluation of rumulative effects
of limber harvesting and on the need
for a watershed management plan. The
Regional Water Quality Control Board
has indicated that until a management
REFERENCES
Dunlap. S.. t990, Results of the tield evalu-
ation of the recommended mitigation
measures lor timber opera\lons In de·
composed granite soils within the Grass
Valley Creek watershed, April 18-19:
California Department ot Forestry and
Fire Protection, unpublished, 12 p,
Fisher, D.J., 1991, Board of Forestry Tour
of Grass Valley Creek. June 4.1991
inCDF,t991 (see above), p 43-44.
Fralicelli, L.A., Albers, J.P" Irwin. W.P., and
Blake, M.e.. Jr., 1987, Geologic map of
the Redding 1 x 2 degree quadrangle:
Shasta. Tehama, Humboldt, and Trimty
counties. California: U.S. Geological
Survey Open-File Report 87-257. 22 p..
scale 1:250,000.
CALIFORNIA GEOLOGY NOVEMBER t991
plan can be implemented it will be neces-
sary to estimate sediment production
from individual harvesting activities such
as the use of haul roads and skid trails.
Also. the expected sediment production
must be offset by sediment savings
through the use of mitigation. either
within or outside of the planned harvest
area. in order to protect the beneficial
uses of Grass Valley Creek and the Trinily
River (Reichmuth. 1991). Several math-
OOS of determining sediment budgets
within the drainage are now under con-
sideration. There is also a stronger focus
on monitoring sediment yields and on the
need for maintenance measures. includ-
ing ways of addressing impacts of unau-
thorized off-road vehicle use following
timber harvesting.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The author wishes to thank the follow-
ing for review of this manuscript: Mark
Alpert. North Coast Regional Water
Quality Control Board: Steve Dunlap
and John Munn. Department of Forestry
and Fire Protection: and Dan Fisher.
Champion International Corporation.
Irwin. W.P.. 1963. Preliminary geologiC map
of the Weaverville quadrangle, Calilornia:
U.S. Geological Survey Mineral Investl-
gallOns Field Studies Map MF·275.
scale 1:62.500.
Reichmuth, F.C., 1991. Board of Forestry
June 4 Field Tnp. Grass Valley Creek
watershed: Memorandum to the Califor-
nia Department of Forestry from the Cali-
fornia Regional Water Quality Control
Board North Coast Region, May 15,4 p.
Soil Conservation Service. 1986. Grass Val-
ley Creek sediment study: U.S. Depart-
ment of Agnculture, 49 p.
Strand. R.G., 1962. GeologiC Map of Califor-
nia, Redding Sheet: California DiVISion of
Mines and Geology, scale 1:250,000.
'"
Geomorphology
THE HISTORY OF THE STUDY
OF LANDFORMS OR THE DEVELOP-
MENT OF GEOMORPHOLOGY.
Volume 3. By Robert P. Beckinsale and
RichardJ. Chorley. 1991. Routledge.
Chapman & Hall. 29 West 35th Street.
New York. NY 10001. 496 p. Routledge
imprint. U.S. $149.95.Canada.
$187.50. hard covet".
This book is part of a definitive series
about the history of the study of land-
fonns. Volwne 1 (1964) covers the
contributions to the field up to 1890.
Volume 2 (1973) deals with the concepts
and contributions of William Morris Davis
in his regional and historical interpreta-
tions of landfonns. Volume 4. in prepara-
tion. will focus on 20th century studies of
geomorphic processes and Quaternary
geomorphology.
This volume. the third in the series.
covers the period from about 1890 to
1950. Here the authors have comprehen-
sively described and analyzed many of the
developments which have given rise to
the rich and varied subject mailer of con-
temporary geomorphology. Part I deals
with global influences concerned with
crustal. climatic. and eustatic changes.
Worldwide geomorphology and Davisian
influences are examined in Part II. Part III
addresses American polycyclic studies.
French eustatic planation. British sub-
aerial-marine synthesis. and the German
tectonic approach. Regional geomorphol-
ogy is the subject of part IV. with particu-
lar reference to regional classification and
climatic geomorphology.
Soil SCience
FUNDAMENTALS OF SOIL SCI-
ENCE. 8th edition. By Henry D. Foth.
1990. John Wiley & Sons. Inc.. 605
Third Avenue. New York. NY 10158.
360 p. $52.95. hard cover.
Soils are important ever-changing
sources of nutrients and water. This
textbook is a good introduction to the
many facets of soil science. The first six
chapters present the following: factors
affecting plant growth. root growth and
2"
distribution. nutrient availability. and soil
fertility and productivity: basic soil forma-
tion processes of humification of organic
matter. mineral weathering. leaching. and
translocation of colloids: soil physical
properties: effects of tillage and traffic on
soils and plant growth: soil water: and soil
water management (conservation. drain-
age. irrigation. and wastewater disposal).
Otller chapters cover soil erosion.
ecology. organic mailer. mineralogy.
and chemistry: plant-soil macronutrient
relations: micronutrients and toxic ele-
ments; fertilizers. fertility evaluation. and
fertilizer use; soil genesis and taxonomy:
soil geography and land use. and soil
surveys and land-use interpretations; and
the world grain trade and the imlX'rtance
of nonagronomic factors in the food-
population problem.
Weathering
WEATHERING; ITS PRODUCTS
AND DEPOSITS. Volume J. Processes.
1989. Theophrastus Publications SA.
33 J. Theologou Str.. Zographou. Athens
622. Greece. Telephone 7772587.
462 p.. hard cover. Send international
money order for U.S. $50.00 by regis-
tered mail. or contact publisher.
Weathering. a complex. continuous
reaction between the lithosphere and the
atmosphere-hydrosphere-biosphere. is a
major contributor to the shape of the
Earth's surface. Two volumes contain
VOLCANIC
""
CALIFORNIA GEOLOGY NOVEMBER 1991
papers by the intemaUonal science com-
munity. This. volume I. introduces the
general concepts of weathering. It then
discusses the minerology of weathering
prcxlucts. with topics including electro-
chemical properties. layer charge dynam-
ics. phase equilibria, mineral stability. and
the use of scanning electron micrographs.
The third section is devoted to geochem-
istry. with papers examining details of
element mobilization. arti/icial acidifica-
tion. and the effects of experimental fiekl
acidification. Papers on the distribution of
marine salts in parts of coastal Antarctica.
the submarine palagonitization of volcanic
glasses. and tafoni {'"window-like "j weath-
ering of granite compose the Marine
Action section. Loess fonnation and
decementation of quartzites complete the
final se<:tion of this volume.
WEATHERING: ITS PRODUCTS
AND DEPOSITS. Volume n. Products -
DeJXlsils - Geotechnics. 1989.
Theophrastus Publications SA. 33
J. Theologou Str.. Zographou. Athens
622. Greece. Telephone 7772587.
671 p.. hard cover. Send international
money order for U.S. $65.00 by regis-
iered mail. or contact publisher.
The papers in the second of two
volumes on weathering focus on the
products of weathering. These include
bauxites and laterites. clays. phosphate-
bearing products. and residues of lime-
stone weathering. Special products
PHYSICAL
WEA1HElIIHG
 - .
discussed include those of weathered
porcelain, the Mopal-<:ementecr sands of
the Catahoula Fonnation (Oligocene/
Miocene) of the Texas Gulf. and vermicu-
lite in southern Spain. A discussion of the
evolution of continental v..oealhering pro-
cesses and associated metallogenesis in
the Earth's history intr<XIuces papers on
weathering products of sulphides in the
Arctic. seconda'V zinc mineralization in
the Yukon of Canada. and dispersion
halos in the weathering pr<XIucts on Milos
Island. Greece. Two papers dealing with
weathering and v..oeatherability of rocks
are significant to those in construction or
geotechnical assessment.
Englneenng Geology
LANDSUDES IN A SEMI·ARID ENVI·
RONMENT with emphasis on the Inland
Valleys of Southern California. Publica·
tions of the Inland Geological Society.
Volume 2. Edited by Peter M. Sadler and
Douglas M. Morton. 1989. Order from
Peter M. Sadler, Department of Earth
Sciences. University of California, River·
side, CA 92521. 386 p. $20.00. soft
cover. Add $2.50 per copy for shipping
and handling within the U.S. or $5.00 for
foreign orders. California residents should
add the appropriate sales tax. Make
checks payable to Mlnland Geological
Soc;ety."
This volume is dMded into three sec-
lions. 1lle first section includes topical
papers that discuss the origin. recogni·
tion. and repair of landslides. Legal and
financial considerations are addressed
and possible triggering agents such as
rainfall, fire, and earthquakes are dis-
cussed. The second section includes pa-
pers on II case studies demonstrating
landslide analysis in the contexts of reo
gional planning. local development. and
recow'V after a disaster. The last section
contains four southern California landslide
site field guides that might be instructive
to professional geologists, private consult-
ants. lawyers, and university faculty and
students. Contributors to this volume
include State and federal geologists.
private consultants. lawyers. and univer-
sity faculty. Reviewed by Dinah O.
Shumway.
,~,- - ..-..
-", "";
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With the advent of personal computers,
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IN WATER RESOURCES. By Otto J. This book provides a means lor the stu·
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Hall Buikling. Englewood Cliffs. NJ practical experience using microcomput·
07632. 152 p. phJs computer disk. ers in problem solving. Fourteen popular
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 DMG OFR 91-02
lANDSUDE HAZARDS IN 11-IE
UVERMORE VAUEY AND VICINITY,
AlAMEDA AND COt'fffiA COSTA
COUNTIES. CAUFORNIA
By Hasmukhrai H. Majmundar. 1991.
6 plateslscale 1:24,000). $6.00.
This set of six plates constitutes land-
slide Hazard Identification Map #21.
Prepared under the Landslide Hazard
Identification Program. the maps provide
slope stability information for local offi~
cials in land-use planning and evaluation
of building pennit applications. The maps
consist of: Plates 21A 1 and 21A2-
Relative Landslide Susceptibility in
Altamont. Livermore. and parts of Dublin
Quadrangles; Plates 2181 and 2182-
Landslides and Related Features: and
Plates 21Cl and 21C2 - Geologic
Maps for the same area.
The study area encompasses about
130 square miles (335 km2j, mostly roll-
ing grass-(;owred country dissected by
Doolan and Collier canyons. Altamont
and Patterson passes. Arroyo Valle,
A;"oyo Mocho. Arroyo Sew, and valleys
along Dry. Tassajara. Cottonwood.
Cayetano. and Mountain House creeks.
The South Bay Aqueduct also tra-
verses the area. The study area contains
the city of Livennore, which lies about 50
miles (80 km) east-southeast of San Fran-
cisco. The Alameda/Comra Costa
County boundary lies along the northern
border of the area and Interstate 680
runs along the western edge of the area.
The valley floor and low surrounding
areas. land that is traditionally agricultural
and rangeland. is rapidly givlng way to
residential and commercial development.
Small ranches and rural dwellings are
scattered over the remaining undeveloped
hilly areas.
The primary purpose of the study was

----------------------------, to evaluate the slope stability of the area.

A four-value scale. ranging from least
to most susceptible to landsliding. is used
ADDRESS FORM FOR ALL ORDERS I on the Relative Landslide Susceptibility
Please print or type. I Maps. An inventory of existing slope
I failures. shown on the Landslides and
__====:::::_i
PAYMENTMUSTBE INCLUDED WITH ORDER

iN~A~MiiE====::::::::::::::=__ Related Features Maps. was prepared

from field mapping and through analysis
ADDRESS _ of aerial photos. The Geologic Maps
I were compiled and. locally. modified from
CITY _ earHer worK by others. They show the
I distribution of the predominantly marine
STATE

TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED: $

ZIP _
II Panoche Formation (Upper Cretaceous):
Moreno Formation (Upper Cretaceous):
Tesla Formation (Paleocene-Eocene):
San Pablo Group of undifferentiated
CALIFORNIA GEOLOGY SUBSCRIPTIONS I rocks (Upper Miocene) including the
I Cierbo Formation. Neroly Sandstone
01 yr. $10.00 o 2 yrs. $20.00 (Individual issues are $1.25 each) I (Upper Miocene). undivided Green Valley
and Tassajara formations (Plio-Pleisto-
o NEW SUBSCRIPTION: Allow 60 days for delivery of first issue. I cene): Livennore Gravel (Plio-Pleisto-
o RENEWAL: To receive your magazine continuously. send in renewal 60 days before II cene): and younger alluvial units and land-
slide deposits. along with folds and faults.
expiration date shown on your address label. (Example: EXP9112 means
that the subscription expires on receipt of December 1991 issue.) Please I The area also contains metamorphosed
enclose address label from past issue. Without an address label, renewal I rocks of the Franciscan Complex (Juras-
subscriptions will take 3 to 4 months to process. sic-Cretaceous) in the southeast comer of
CC""L"IF"O'R"N"IA"G"E<OiULQGY renewals only: fiO In lnrormation 'rom your mailing label or.,";;;~;;hiC.,,"I."bo.,-~1 the Altamont quadrangle. TIle map expla-
!rorn a pasl issue. 1 nation refers to properties of the units
that are relevant to slope stability. Most
1.0.# EXPIR. DATE ACCT. # :;- I abundant landslides and earthflovJs are
o GIFT: (Gift card 'rom ~ _
I associated with the Cretaceous Cierbo
and Panache formations. Upper Miocene
I Neroly Sandstone, and PHo-Pleistocene
o ADDRESS CHANGE: Send us an old address label and your new address. I Green Valley and Tassajara formations.
Allow two issues to reflect address change.
I DMG OFR 91-02 is available for refer-
Your order/subscriplion cannol be processed unless correct amount is remitted. All foreign and I ence in the Sacramento, San Francisco.
Canadian orders must be paid Wllh an international money Older or draft payable in U.S. dollars 10: and Los Angeles offices of the Division
DIVISION OF MINES AND GEOLOGY; Address: P. O. Box 2980, Sacramento, California 95812·2980. I of Mines and Geology. Copies of the
I report can be purchased for $6.00 each
----------------------------~ in Sacramento and San Francisco.X

CALIFORNIA GEOLOGY NOVEM8ER 1991

 American Institute of Professional
Geologists Holds Conference
"GeologiC Reason: A Basis for Decisions Affecting Society"
will be the focus of this conference on September 27-30. 1992
in Lake Tahoe. Nevada. This symposium is open to all geolo-
gists who will be attending the annual meeting of the American
Institute 01 Professional Geologists. Topics will include the role
of the geologist in predicting earthquakes. modeling geologic
phenomena, and the management of federal lands. For more
information contact:
Jonathan Price
Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology
Mail Stop 178. University of Nevada-Reno
Reno, NV 89557-0088
(702) 784-6691-;'::
Environmental Research Institute
of Michigan's (ERIM) First Thematic
Conference on Remote Sensing for
Marine and Coastal Environments
This conference will be held on June 15-17. 1992 in New
Orleans. Louisiana and will focus on the needs and solutions for
marine pollution monitoring, control. and abatement through
the application of remote sensing technology. It will cover aU
aspects of remote sensing for the marine environment, from
fundamental principles and interpretation techniques to ad-
vanced data processing and integration with other information
sources. The conference will be of interest to marine and coastal
planners; natural resources managers; remote sensing special-
ists: industry leaders; local, state, and federal government admin-
istrators; and educators and students.
Presentations and training activities will be included in the
conference. Plenary and poster sessions will be organized by
an international Program Committee to address the following
topics:
Detection. Identification. and Monitoring:
Monitoring ecosystems and the environment; Detection. iden-
tification. and measurement of pollution
Marine Policy Fonnulation and Implementation:
Regulatory applications; Economic impact: Resource manage-
ment
Remote Sensing Technology. Techniques, and Validation:
Existing technologies. techniques, and validation: New sensor
research. development. and validation
Operational Support:
Emergency response: Cleanup and recovery: Site/area
characterization
CALIFORNIA GEOLOGY
Phenomenology of Marine Pollution and its Effects:
Baseline documentation: Transport of natural and anthropo-
genic substances: Water quality: Environmental and health
effects
For more infonnation contact,
ERIM/Marine Environment Conference
P.O. Box 134001
Ann Arbor. MI 48113-4001
(313) 994-1200, extension 3234-;'::
New State law Prohibits Use of Plastic
Pipe as Mining Claim Markers
on Federal Lands in California.
The plastic or PVC pipe used by some miners to mark
their claims on federal lands in California will be eliminated
under a new State law aimed at preventing wildlife deaths.
The new law specifies that only wood. stone, or solid
metal markers can be used to mark the more than 150.000
claims on federal lands administered by the Bureau of Land
Management (BLM) and the Forest Service (FS).
Last year small birds and reptiles were found trapped in
the open perforated plastic pipes used on some mining
claims in central and southem Ca~fornia. BLM estimates
there are about 100.000 of these pipes in use. Of 750 pipes
inspected by BLM as pan of a sample, up to 38 percent
contained dead animals.
BLM issued a policy requiring miners to wrap and cap the
pipes as a temporary solution. however legislation was
needed to ban the plastic pipes pennanently.
The law prohibits any new use of the plastic pipes. How-
ever, miners have 3 years to replace existing plastic pipes
with the legal wood, stone, or solid metal markers.
The law also reduces the number of markers required for a
claim. specifies minimum requirements for size and place-
ment. and requires miners who abandon or relinquish their
claims to remove all markers or monuments within 180 days.
Claimants who do not comply may be fined $50.00 for each
monument and held liable for other costs levied by the fed-
eral, State, or county government to remove the monument.
For more infonnation on this new Slate law. contact:
Jan Bedrosian al the Bureau of Land Management
(916) 978-4746.x
NOVEMBER t991 259
 GEOLOGIC TERMS OF SPANISH ORIGIN
Many geologic terms used in the United States originated in other countries. English speaking explorers. traders. and trap-
pers naming an unfamiliar geographic feature sometimes borrowed from another language because they found no appropri-
ate word in their own vocabulary or because a non-English VJOrd was already in use locally. Geologists have adopted words
from many languages for similar reasons. Many of the folloo.vlng tenns are commonly used in the arid Southwest. but were
borrowed from Spanish. the language of another dry land. Spanish spellings. pronunciations. and definitions are provided
where they differ in English.

ARID GEOMORPHIC AND GEOLOGIC FEATURES

Rainfall in arid regions is infrequent but torrential. Since dwniCal weathering requires water. most weathering in the
desert is mechanical. Rash noOOs pick up sand and rocks and carry them rapidly downslope. The water quickly sinks
into the dry ground or evaporates. leaving rocks strewn on desert ground or in stream channels. Because most of the
material is not carried 3VJay by rivers it accumulates as sediment near the source. These processes may result in the
following features:
adobe - (a-do'-be) a hard fine- laguna' (Ia-gu' -na) a lake or lagoon. salada - (sa-la' -cia) a salt-covered
grained. usually calcareous, dayey especially a shall()l,\/ ephemeral lake in the plain left by the evaporation of a
deposit mixed with silt, usually lower part of a oolson. fed by streams lake. (Spanish, salted. salty)
fonning as sheets in the Io\.ver parts flowing only as a result of rainstorms_
of desert basins. (Spanish: pond. small lake) salar - (sa·lar') a salt flat or a salt-
encrusted depression that may repre-
arroyo - (ar-roy' -0) a rlat-floored playa (pia' 'ya) a dry, flat area at the sent the basin of a salt lake. (Spanish:
channel of an ephemeral or inter- lovJesl part of an undrained desert basin. to salt)
mittent stream. usually with steeply underlain by stratified day, silt. or sand.
cut banks of unconsolidated mate- and commonly by soluble salts (with wa- salina· (sa-Ii"-113) a place where
rial, it is usually dry. but may sud- ter. ~playa lake"). (Spanish: [ply''yah]- crystalline salt deposits are fonned or
denly become filled with torrential beach) found. especially a salt-encrusted
waters after heavy rains. (Spanish: playa. (Spanish: salt pit. salt mine)
stream. brook, gutter)
bajada, bahada - (ba-ja' -cia. pro-
nounced ba·hah'-da) a broad, coo-
tinuous alluvial slope extending
from the base of mountain ranges
out into and around an inland ba-
sin. formed by the lateral coales-
cence of a series of alluvial fans
(Photo 1). (Spanish: descent, slope)
balsan - (bol"-son, bol-son') an
extensive flat alluvium-floored basin
into which drainage from the sur-
rourxling mountains flov.,s. (Span-
ish: bo/sOn - large purse)
caliche (ea-li' <he) a cakareous
4

material commonly found in layers

on or near the surface of stony soils
of and and semiarid regions. but
also occurring as a subsoil deposit
in subhumid climates. It is com-
posed largely of CNS!S of soluble
calcium salts in addition 10 such
materials as gravel. sand, silt. and
clay. (Spanish: almost any porous
material cemented by calcium car-
bonate) Photo 1. Deep Springs Valley, Inyo County. looking west across Deep SpringS
lake. a playa lake. A bajada has rormed at the base or the mountains. Photo by
William A Bryan!

CAUFORNIA GEOLOGY NOVEUBER 1991

 ADDITIONAL GEOMORPHIC AND GEOLOGIC TERMS
Some of the following terms mayor may nOI apply to desen areas. Uke some of the previous leons, they sometimes
appear in names of geographic features su<:h as Canada Poso on Santa Cruz Island or Cienega Camp in the Los Padres
National Forest. both near Santa Barbara. California The Spanish transl.ation must be kepi in mind VJhen a Spanish I4'OI'd
has a different meaning In English. For instance, Round Potrero in the Sierra Madre Mountains is more likely a pasture
(Spanish meaning) than a beach ridge (English meaning), Names for features are often repeated when English VJOrcis are
M

added 10 Spanish place names as in Sierra Neuada Mountains (translates to "Snow-covered Mountains Mountains
because Sierra means "mountains') (PhOIO 2).

canada - (ca-na'-da. pronounced kahn-ya-dahl ravine,
glen, or naTTOW valley. smaller and less Sleep-sided than
a canyon: also a smaU stream.
canon - (ca'-fIon) a canyon - a long. deep. relatively
naJTOW" steeposided valley in a plateau or mountainous
area. often with a stream at the bottom. (Spanish:
coli6n /kohn-yone"/)
celTo (eer' -ro) a moderately high. usually rocky, hiD
cie:naga. cienega - (cl-e"-na-ga. ci-e-ne-ga) a marshy
area where the ground is wet from seepage or springs.
In arid regions the seepage often results from cemented
gravel blocking an aquifer (Spanish: cie1lOgo - marsh.
bog)
cordillera (cor-dil-kf-ra. cor-dil'·le-ra) a region of
extensive semi-parallel mountain ranges_ (Spanish:
lkor-dec·yer"-ahl - chain. mountain range)
cuesta - (cues' -ta) a hiU or ridge with one face long
and gentle and confonTIing with the dip of resistant
beds that fOnTI it, and the opposite face steep and
fonned by the outcrop of the resistant rocks (Photo 3).
(Spanish: hill, sloping ground)
estero - (es-te'-ro) an estuary or inlet (Photo 4).
llano - (1Ia'-oo) in the southwestern United States.
generally a treeless area. (Spanish: lYah'-nol- plain.
smooth. level)
malpais - (mal-pais) a region of rough and barren
lava l1ovJs. (Spanish: mal pols [mahl pie-ees'!- bad
land)
mesa • (me" -sa) steep-sided landmass standing dis-
tinctly above the surrounding country, capped by resis-
tanl, nearly hortzontal rock (larger than a bune)"
(Spanish, table. tableland)

potrero - (po-tre'-ro) an elongate.

island-like beach tidge. sur-
rounded by mud flats and sepa-
rated from the coast by a lagoon
and barrier isJand. (Spanish: pas-
ture for colts)
puerto - (puer'-IO) a pass over or
through a mountain range. (Span-
ish; pon. mountain pass)

ria - (ri'-a) a long, MrrOVJ marine

inlet produced by drowning due to
submergence of the 10VJer pan of
a narrow river valley or of an
estuary. (Spanish: rfo - estuary.
narrow inlet)
rio - (ri'-0) a river or stream. usu-
ally pennanent. (Spanish: rio -
river)

siena - (si-er'-ra) a high range of

hills or mountains. especially one
with jagged peaks (Photo 2).
(Spanish: saw. mountain range.
sawfish)
Photo 2. The east side ollhe Sierra Nevada. Calttornla, trom Mazourka Canyon In
the Inyo Mountains east ot Indepenclence. Calltornla Photo by David Wagner,

CALIFORNIA GEOlOOY NOVEMBER 1991 ,6>

 Cuestas are asymetric ridges lormed
by erosion 01 gently tilted strata. The
steeper slopes cut across resistanl rock

\~~::::::=:;;;-::EASILYERODED ROCK
layers. Long. gentle slopes parallel the dip
of the strata.

Photo 3. Aerial photo ot cuestas .....est 01 Williams and north 01 Sites. California. Sacramento Valley in upper pM 01 View. Vie..... to northeast.
Photo by Burt Admundson.

262 CALIFORNIA GEOLOGY NOVEMBER 1991

Pholo 4. Aerial photo 01 Drakes Estero. Point Reyes National seashore. Light-colored cliffs e;lpose Pliocene siltstones. sandstones. and
diatomaceous shales of the Drakes Bay Formation. Photo by Burt Amundson.
OTHER GEOLOGIC TERMS
bonanza - (bo-nan-·za) rich body of ore. (Spanish:
prosperity, success)
borasca • (bo-ras' -.<:al an unproductive area of a mine.
(Spanish: borrasca - exhaustion of a mine)
coquina - (co-qui' -na, pronounced kC>'"keen'·nah) a
detrital Umeslone composed chiefly of weakly to mod-
erately cemented fossil debris. (Spanish: cockle, shell-
fuh)
homito - (hor-ni'-to) a mound on a lava flow, fonned
by the grndual accumulation of clots of lava ejected
through an opening in the roof of an underlying lava
tube. (Spanish: lor-nee'-toej-linJe oven)
tierra blanca· (tier'·ra blan--cal white cak:areous
deposits such as tufa, caliche, and chalky limestone.
(Spanish: white ground or white earth)
CALIFORNIA GEOLOGY
MORE PLACE NAMES
The following words are not geologic terms in
English, but examples of Spanish words used In naming
geographic or geologic features:
aguas calientes - (a' -guas ca-li-en'-Ies) not springs.
(Spanish: ah' -gwas cah-Jee.en'-taes)
oro - (o'-ro) gold.
pozo, poso - (po'-zo, po'-so) VJell or puddle: waler
hole, in general. (Spanish: pozo - well, pit. shaft;
poso - sediment)
punta - (pun'-ta. pronounced poon'-tah) point. tip.
headland.
valle - tvar-le) valley, vale. (Spanish: vai' -yea) 'I<:
NOVEMBER 1991 263
 STATE OF CALIFORNIA SECOND CLASS POSTAGE PAID
THE RESOURCES AGENCY AT SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA
DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION
CALIFORNIA GEOLOGY
DIVISION OF
MINES AND GEOLOGY
P.O. BOX 2980
SACRAMENTO. CALIFORNIA 9581 2·2980
USPS 350 840
ADDRESS CORRECTION REOUESTED

WeaThered bul intacl granitic rock in the Sierra Nevada. Decomposilion takes place in fractures where moisture persists. Plants often obtain
moisture and nourishmenl from decomposed granile that accumulales In lhe fractures. Photo by D.L. Wagner.

'6' CALIFORNIA GEOLOGY NOVEMBER 1991