Our beloved Baja came to be during Miocene times, about 12 million years ago. Plate tectonics caused the sliver of land we call Baja to separate from
the mainland. Pacific Ocean water filled the gap, creating the Sea of Cortez.
Sediments from the Colorado River filled much of the trough in the north, so water depth is not as deep as further south. The more shallow water
temperatures vary, weather dependent.
Water is very important in mostly arid Baja. San Ignacio, an oasis in a dry desert, has water from an underground spring giving it life.
The islands in the gulf are actually mountains that are part of the ranges on the peninsular. They were separated during the tectonic action creating
the Sea of Cortez.
The northernmost range is the Sierra de Juarez, granitic mountains that are extensions of California ranges.
It runs into the Sierra San Pedro Martir range which has the distinction of having the highest peak in Baja; Pichacho del Diablo at 3,096 meters.
Volcanic peaks and recent (geologically) lava flows conceal much of the Tertiary marine sediments that make up the ranges of central Baja.
Sierra de la Giganta, south of Loreto, stretches nearly to La Paz.
Next is the Sierra de la Laguna, which has granitic peaks up to 2,130 meters and is forested.
It's such a diverse land, so unique in its isolation from the mainland.
jeans - 6-24-2004 at 09:11 AM
Goodness! In another thread, BajaCactus wanted to know "origins of Baja California." You sure gave it to him!
I can picture the whole bubbling "Land before Time" thing.
Georock
Baja Bernie - 6-24-2004 at 09:25 AM
I always wondered what held those islands up--just kidding. Nice article.
Islands
jrbaja - 6-24-2004 at 09:33 AM
My ex wife was from Kansas, They don't have an ocean there. She was wondering why Catalina looks so close on some days and so far away on others when
we lived in Huntington Beach.
After learning about the tides going in and out, she understood perfectly how that anchor chain the island is attached to operated!
jr
Baja Bernie - 6-24-2004 at 04:43 PM
YEA!
A little off time...!!!
BajaCactus - 6-24-2004 at 09:02 PM
Quote:
Posted by Jeans.....Goodness! In another thread, BajaCactus wanted to know "origins of Baja California." You sure gave it to him!
You are right Jeans... GeoRock went just a little before in time than I was thinking....
Now.... several millions years into the future Baja will become an Island.. thanks to tectonics again...
When this happens Baja will most likely be a tropical Island anear Hawaii and then.. we will trully be BAJANOMADS....!!!
Antonio M.
Baja tectonics
Taco de Baja - 6-26-2004 at 09:42 AM
Also interesting to note that the gold in the Siera Juarez originated in Sonora....BEFORE Baja split off from the mainland.
Quite confusing for the early gold miners who tried unsucsessfully to find the source rock in Baja.
Would you consider
Sonora Wind - 6-26-2004 at 01:42 PM
A fall baja Geo learning/adventure trip, for 4 ? 6 days. I'll cook and tote. you teach, everyone else helps, learns and generally has a wounderful
time. Just a thought???
