Geological Survey Professional Paper 329 Reconnaissance of the Geomorphology and Glacial Geology of the San Joaquin Basin, Sierra Nevada California

Cover

Foreword

Abstract

Introduction

Itinerary of expeditions
Investigations subsequent to fieldwork
Acknowledgments

Geographic sketch

Location and extent of area
Drainage and topography
Climatic conditions
Life zones amid vegetation
Economic and social use

Rocks

Granitic rocks
     Jointing and exfoliation
     Modes of weathering
Metamorphic rocks
Volcanic rocks

Geomorphology

Comparison of sections of the Sierra west slope
Suitability of the San Joaquin Basin for geomorphologic analysis
Summary of conclusions concerning the Yosemite region
Geomorphology of the San Joaquin Basin
     Description of geomorphologic features
          Foothill belt
          San Joaquin Canyon and its main branches
          Hanging valleys
          Intercanyon uplands
          Longitudinal and transverse crests
          Tabular summits
          Main drainage divide
          Relation of main drainage divide to escarpment on east side of range
     Interpretation of geomorphologic features
          Erosion surfaces
          Hanging valleys
          Restored Miocene and Pliocene profiles
          Significance of pattern of ridges and valleys
          Relation of main drainage divide to escarpment on east side of range

Glaciation

Differentiation of moraines and correlation of glacial stages
Glaciers of the pro-Wisconsin stages
     Middle Fork glacier
     South Fork glacier
     Central icefield
     Lower San Joaquin glacier
     Glaciers in Big Creek basin
     Depth of canyon cutting since earlier glaciation
Glaciers of the Wisconsin stage
     Middle Fork glacier
     South Fork glacier
     Glaciers on Kaiser Ridge
     Granite Creek glacier
     Glaciers in Chiquito Creek basin
     Glaciers in the Big Creek basin

Selected references

Index (omitted from the online edition)

PLATE

1. Map of ancient glaciers of the San Joaquin Basin, Sierra Nevada, Calif. (omitted from the online edition)

2. Longitudinal profile of San Joaquin River (omitted from the online edition)

FIGURE

1. Index map showing location of San Joaquin Basin

2. Drainage map of San Joaquin Basin and surrounding region

3. Profile across Sierra Nevada, from Big Sandy Valley to Owens River

4. Profile from North Fork across the crest of the Sierra Nevada

5. Geologic map of San Joaquin Basin and surrounding region

6. View across the South Fork of the San Joaquin River

7. Squaw Dome, from the east

8. Imperfect domes on Chiquito Ridge

9. Ice-truncated columns of basalt on the Devils Postpile

10. Rainbow Falls on the Middle Fork of the San Joaquin River

11. Idealized profile showing features produced by successive cycles of erosion in Sierra Nevada

12. Section through Table Mountain region, Sierra Nevada

13. View down San Joaquin Canyon

14. View in San Joaquin Canyon

16. View up San Joaquin River toward Balloon Dome

17. View southeastward up the South Fork of the San Joaquin River

17. Evolution Valley from the South Fork of the San Joaquin River

18. Falls of Stevenson Creek on east side of San Joaquin Canyon

19. Big Creek Cascade from below Huntington Lake

20. View down Evolution Valley

21. Well-preserved remnant of the Miocene erosion surface south of Evolution Valley

22. View southeastward along Glacier Divide

23. Panorama southward from a point near outlet of Evolution Lake

24. View southeast across Twin Lakes

25. Mount McGee summits and cirques of McGee Creek

26. Goddard Canyon and Mount Goddard

27. Mount Darwin and Mount Wallace from Evolution Basin

28. Hackly surface produced by glacial plucking

29. Valley floor modified by glacial plucking

30. Details of ice-scoured rock floor of Evolution Basin, near Sapphire Lake

31. Crescentric gouges near base of Mount Huxley

32. Perched erratic boulder south of Junction Bluffs

33. Remarkable imitation of a perched erratic boulder of granite, produced wholly by weathering in place

34. Chiquito Creek basin, north of Placer Ranger Station

35. Gorge of Chiquito Creek

36. Residual granite shafts between Granite Creek and Middle Fork of the San Joaquin River

37. Other residual granite shafts between Granite Creek and Middle Fork of the San Joaquin River

38. Thousand Island Lake, in cirque of the Middle Fork of the San Joaquin River

39. Cirque, northwest of Selden Pass

40. Typical roches moutonées, Blaney Meadows

41. Moraine of the later glaciation in lower Vermilion Valley

42. Lateral moraine of the later glaciation near mouth of Vermilion Valley

43. View eastward up canyon of Mono Creek

44. Mono Meadow in the valley of the South Fork, San Joaquin River

45. Erratic boulder of granite near Twin Lakes

46. Glacial erratic on floor of Mono Creek Canyon

47. Black Peak, a volcanic knob near South Fork of Big Creek

48. View from the summit of Black Peak looking down Long Meadow

---

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
FRED A. SEATON, Secretary

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
Thomas B. Nolan, Director

---