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Aeromagnetic map of northeastern California

August 22, 2023

Aeromagnetic surveys were conducted to improve understanding of the geology and structure in northeastern California, a region predominantly covered by Quaternary and Tertiary, mainly Neogene, volcanic rocks including Medicine Lake volcano. New aeromagnetic data are a substantial improvement over existing data and reveal structural details not resolved by older surveys. Here we show how these data (1) do not support the presence of a northwest-striking structural feature across the Modoc Plateau, (2) reveal a northeast-striking fault-bounded block of predominantly reversely magnetized material that may influence tectonism at Medicine Lake volcano, and (3) constrain possible right-lateral offsets along the Likely Fault Zone and other faults that traverse the region. The data also highlight possible extensions of mapped faults, such as those in Fall River Valley and the Tule and Lower Klamath Lake areas.

Publication Year 2023
Title Aeromagnetic map of northeastern California
DOI 10.3133/sim3505
Authors Victoria E. Langenheim, Donald S. Sweetkind
Publication Type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Series Title Scientific Investigations Map
Series Number 3505
Index ID sim3505
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse
USGS Organization Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center; Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center
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