Revisiting the geochronology of late Quaternary marine terraces and uplift rates in coastal Santa Barbara County, California, USA
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Abstract
In several early studies, central California marine terraces between Santa Barbara and Point Conception were interpreted to record sea-level high stands of the last interglacial complex, ∼80 ka to ∼120 ka (marine isotope stage [MIS] 5). These ages and their elevations (∼20 m to ∼45 m) indicate modest rates of tectonic uplift, similar to those from other localities in southern and central California. A recent study, using a combination of luminescence and radiocarbon dating, has challenged the older age interpretations, implying much younger terrace ages, between ∼40 ka and ∼55 ka (MIS 3). From these new ages and a considerably lower sea level during MIS 3, much higher rates of tectonic uplift are inferred. In the present study, new uranium-series ages of terrace corals and amino acid age estimates of terrace mollusks were determined to test these competing interpretations. With the exception of a low-elevation terrace in Isla Vista (near Santa Barbara) that dates to MIS 3, terraces farther west are interpreted to date to MIS 5 and imply tectonic uplift rates of 0.20–0.34 m/kyr. A compilation of data for the region yields a decreasing rate of late Quaternary uplift from east, near Ventura, to west, near Point Conception. This trend is interpreted to reflect a decreasing influence of the processes of compression and crustal shortening south of the Big Bend in the San Andreas fault.
Suggested Citation
Muhs, D., Schumann, R.R., Bright, J., Roberts, H.M., and Groves, L.T., 2026, Revisiting the geochronology of late Quaternary marine terraces and uplift rates in coastal Santa Barbara County, California, USA: Geomorphology, v. 501, 110179, 29 p., https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2026.110179.
Study Area
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Revisiting the geochronology of late Quaternary marine terraces and uplift rates in coastal Santa Barbara County, California, USA |
| Series title | Geomorphology |
| DOI | 10.1016/j.geomorph.2026.110179 |
| Volume | 501 |
| Year Published | 2026 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Elsevier |
| Contributing office(s) | Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center |
| Description | 110179, 29 p. |
| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Santa Barbara County |
| Other Geospatial | coastal Santa Barbara County |