Tectonic history of the Los Angeles Basin: Understanding what formed and deforms the city of Los Angeles

Abstract

The Los Angeles (LA) Basin is located in a tectonically complex region which has led to many, varying interpretations of its tectonic history. Current literature indicates that processes from rifting and extensional volcanism to pure dextral strike-slip displacement created the LA Basin. It appears that the best interpretation falls somewhere in between these two end-member explanations, with processes taking place simultaneously, including transtensional pull-apart faulting and clockwise rotation of large crustal blocks. With a comprehensive literature review, and paleomagnetic, seismic refraction, and low-fold reflection survey data, I intend to clarify what tectonic processes actually occurred in the LA Basin, and how that information can provide insight for other research in the region, as well as predicting future seismic hazards in the highly-populated, economically significant, and culturally rich city of Los Angeles.