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Paleozoic tectonics in the Edna Mountain quadrangle, Nevada

Journal of Research of the U.S. Geological Survey
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Abstract

Geologic mapping at scale 1:24,000 of the Edna Mountain 15-minute quadrangle, Humboldt County, Nev., revealed two episodes of pre-Mesozoic deformation that are difficult to reconcile with either the Antler or the Sonoma orogeny. We believe that the older episode predated the Antler orogeny and may be as old as Late Cambrian. The younger episode may have been more localized, predated the Sonoma orogeny, and was probably Late Pennsylvanian to Permian in age. Deformation related to Antler and Sonoma orogenies also occurred. These four episodes suggest that cycles of uplift, folding, faulting, and erosion began early in the development of the southern Cordillera and continued intermittently throughout Paleozoic time. West of the continental shelf was a broad subsiding basin marked by narrow troughs and elongate structural highs which emerged, matured, and diminished at different times. Waxing and waning deformation in various parts of the geosyncline acting upon local "highs" and troughs can explain the seemingly erratic distribution in north-central Nevada of different fades of time-correlative stratigraphic units and structural blocks of Paleozoic age. Telescoping of facies by thrust faulting certainly took place, but large displacements within brief periods are not essential to the validity of the explanation.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Paleozoic tectonics in the Edna Mountain quadrangle, Nevada
Series title Journal of Research of the U.S. Geological Survey
Volume 2
Issue 3
Year Published 1974
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Description 7 p.
First page 331
Last page 337
Country United States
State Nevada
County Humboldt County
Other Geospatial Edna Mountain quadrangle
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