Introduction to Cretaceous of California

Abstract

The bibliographic history of the California Cretaceous, beginning with J. B. Trask in 1855, is briefly outlined. A list of the various Cretaceous units of the state is presented. The distribution of these rocks from the Oregon line to the Mexican border, from the Pacific Ocean to the foot of the Sierra Nevada, is indicated on a map of California, showing, also, the Cenozoic cover, and older basement rocks and Franciscan group. General thicknesses of the Cretaceous, taken at various points throughout the state, are shown on a map to give data for isopachs, which in turn indicate the possible positions of geosynclinal basins of deposition. Cretaceous economic products--building stone, gold, oil, and gas--are shown to be in direct relationship to major epochs in the geologic history of California.