GeoRock
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Registered: 3-7-2003
Location: Mammoth Lakes, CA
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Thank goodness for tectonics...
Just a few notes:
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.
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jeans
Super Nomad
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Registered: 9-16-2002
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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.
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Baja Bernie
`Normal` Nomad Correspondent
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Registered: 8-31-2003
Location: Sunset Beach
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Georock
I always wondered what held those islands up--just kidding. Nice article.
My smidgen of a claim to fame is that I have had so many really good friends. By Bernie Swaim December 2007
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jrbaja
Ultra Nomad
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Registered: 2-2-2003
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Islands
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!
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Baja Bernie
`Normal` Nomad Correspondent
Posts: 2962
Registered: 8-31-2003
Location: Sunset Beach
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Mood: Just dancing through life
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jr
YEA!
My smidgen of a claim to fame is that I have had so many really good friends. By Bernie Swaim December 2007
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BajaCactus
Senior Nomad
Posts: 663
Registered: 5-22-2004
Location: Km. 55, carretera transpenisular, El Rosario, B.C.
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A little off time...!!!
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Posted by Jeans.....Goodness! In another thread, BajaCactus wanted to know "origins of Baja California." You sure gave it to him!
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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.
BajaCactus
"Where Baja is so much more than a dream..."
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Taco de Baja
Super Nomad
Posts: 1913
Registered: 4-14-2004
Location: Behind the Orange Curtain, CA
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Mood: Dreamin' of Baja
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Baja tectonics
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. 
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Sonora Wind
Nomad
Posts: 228
Registered: 9-25-2003
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Would you consider
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???
CEUs 3.5
[Edited on 6-26-2004 by Sonora Wind]
[Edited on 6-26-2004 by Sonora Wind]
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