Abstract
The 450-m long spit that extends westward from the northwest corner of Isla San Luis Gonzaga is one of the largest and most complex constructions of unconsolidated cobbles and boulders found anywhere in Mexico’s Gulf of California. The material source derives from episodic but intense storm erosion along the island’s andesitic cliff face with steep northern exposures. A well-defined marine terrace from the late Pleistocene cuts across the same corner of the island and provides a marker for the subsequent development of the spit that post-dates tectonic-eustatic adjustments. A total of 660 individual andesite clasts from seven transects across the spit were measured for analyses of change in shape and size. These data are pertinent to the application of mathematical formulas elaborated after Nott (2003) and subsequent refinements to estimate individual wave heights necessary for lift from parent sea cliffs and subsequent traction. Although the ratio of boulders to clasts diminishes from the proximal to distal end of the structure, relatively large boulders populate all transects and the average wave height required for the release of joint-bound blocks at the rocky shore amounts to 5 m. Based on the region’s historical record of hurricanes, such storms tend to decrease in intensity as they migrate northward through the Gulf of California’s 1100-km length. However, the size and complexity of the San Luis Gonzaga spit suggests that a multitude of extreme storm events impacted the island in the upper gulf area through the Holocene time, yielding a possible average growth rate between 7 and 8 m/century over the last 10,000 years. In anticipation of future storms, a system to track the movement of sample boulders should be emplaced on the San Luis Gonzaga spit and similar localities with major coastal boulder deposits.
Highlights
The Gulf of California is a narrow, semi-enclosed sea that extends from its opening with the Pacific Ocean for more than 1100 km to the northwest between the Baja California peninsula and the mainland of western Mexico
Satellite tracking for hurricanes and typhoons has improved the ability of meteorologists to gather and analyze data on changes in atmospheric pressure, wind speed, and other factors that make statistical predictions based on recurrent circulation patterns increasingly accurate on a global basis [24]
Few of the big storms generated in the NE Pacific Ocean deviate in direction to enter Mexico’s Gulf of California from their point of origin farther south off the western mainland [1]
Summary
The Gulf of California is a narrow, semi-enclosed sea that extends from its opening with the Pacific Ocean for more than 1100 km to the northwest between the Baja California peninsula and the mainland of western Mexico. 4 hurricane with sustained winds reaching 215 km/h but diminished to a Category 3 event 24 h later as it tracked into the lower Gulf of California By the time it reached the upper part of the gulf and crossed into mainland Mexico, the disturbance was reduced to a tropical storm. The study’s stated objective was to present a worst-case scenario on the impact of damage to tidal-energy devices that might be employed in the upper Gulf of California. Installations of this kind have yet to be built in the region, which registers tidal ranges on the order of 12 m [4]. Beyond its stated purpose [3], the contribution by Gross and Mager (2020) provides the most thorough longitudinal treatment of changing physical parameters related to a major storm event in the Gulf of California
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
