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A Short History of Baja California as of 09.27.2009! |
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Overview of Baja California ~ Time Line:
Geology: The Baja California peninsula was once a part of the North American Plate, the tectonic plate of which mainland Mexico remains a part. About 5 million years ago, the East Pacific Rise began cutting into the margin of the North American Plate, initiating the separation of the peninsula from it. Thereafter, the East Pacific Rise continued to propagate northward, up through what is now the Gulf of California. The propagating tip of the spreading center is now located somewhere in the Salton Sea basin. The Baja California peninsula is now part of the Pacific Plate and is moving with it away from the East Pacific Rise in a north northwestward direction. It is an ongoing example of a type of crustal block known as a terrane. Just up the coast from Santa Rosalia, Baja California Sur is a prominent area of volcanic activity. The arid climate of Baja California allows the dramatic volcanic features of the landscape to stand out clearly for the visitor. |
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Created by Charles W. Buntjer | Published on: 2009.07.30 | |
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San Francisco | Updated on: 2009.08.06 |