Quartz-in-garnet barometry constraints on formation pressures of eclogites from the Franciscan Complex, California

Determining pressure and temperature variations between high-pressure/low-temperature (HP–LT) eclogite blocks is crucial for constraining end-member exhumation models; however, it has historically been challenging to constrain eclogite pressures due to the high variance associated with this bulk-rock composition. In this work, we utilize quartz-in-garnet elastic barometry to constrain formation pressures of eclogites from the northern (Junction School, Ring Mountain, Jenner Beach) and southern Franciscan Complex (Santa Catalina Island). Multiple eclogite blocks from Jenner Beach are analyzed, and a single eclogite from the other localities. By comparing garnet growth conditions from within a single outcrop and between distinct outcrops, we evaluate the local and regional spatial distribution of P conditions recorded by eclogites. We compare the mean, median, and max pressures between different garnet zones and eclogites. Pressures sometimes exhibit systematic changes across garnet zones; however, some eclogites exhibit no systematic pressure variations across garnet zones. Pressures from northern Franciscan eclogites range from $$\sim $$ ∼ 1.4–1.8 GPa, at an estimated temperature of 500 $$^{\circ }$$ ∘ C; pressures from the Catalina eclogite range from $$\sim $$ ∼ 1.2–1.5 GPa, at an estimated temperature of 650 $$^{\circ }$$ ∘ C. Mean and maximum pressures of different eclogites from the northern Franciscan exhibit negligible differences (< 0.1 GPa). The results are inconsistent with models that propose exhumation of metamorphic blocks from different structural levels, and suggest that now exposed HP–LT eclogites from the northern Franciscan Complex may represent rocks that were coherently underplated, and exhumed from similar structural levels.

Uplifted marine terraces on Santa Catalina Island, California, USA

Marine terraces are widespread along California’s coastline, including on all of the Channel Islands, with the possible exception of Santa Catalina. For over a century, the origins of subhorizontal surfaces and gravel deposits on Santa Catalina have been debated, with recent suggestions that Santa Catalina has no marine terraces and is subsiding. We mapped, measured, and described terrace deposits on Santa Catalina Island, including both in situ deposits and distributed gravel float. Rounded gravels and cobbles, locally pholad-bored, are present as float across low-relief surfaces in the Little Harbor area. We also mapped and described the Eagles Nest Gravels, an ~8-m-thick package overlying a broad bedrock-cut platform at ~200 m elevation and dipping 3.2° northward. The Eagles Nest Gravels contain rounded cobbles and boulders, many of which contain pholad borings. Two other platforms are inferred from concordant gravels with similar orientations but at lower elevations. Terrace deposits on Santa Catalina truncate underlying lithological units, including a narrow band of fossiliferous Miocene to Pliocene sands. Terrace deposits and gravel lag on Santa Catalina closely resemble older terrace deposits on other California Channel Islands. The terraces on Santa Catalina Island remain undated but document at least 200 m of net uplift, similar to the elevations of undated terraces on the other Channel Islands. While the timing of uplift of Santa Catalina is unclear, analysis of terrace deposits in the Little Harbor area confirms their marine origin and settles the debate regarding the presence of marine terraces on Santa Catalina Island.