Southern California Geology
Southern California is a diverse geological region. The region also straddles the boundary between the Pacific Plate and the North American Plate. This helps create the wide range of geological structures that make this area so unique. This website will cover many of those unique aspects and show that this region is one of the best to study geology in the country.
Geology affects us in many ways in Southern California. While we are best known for earthquakes, the region has a lot more geological features and phenomena to offer. Minerals and resources, ranging from gold, silver, copper, oil, coal, and gravel are still mined in this area today. Landslides also occur, sometimes with great frequency, which affect our buildings and roadways.
Explore Southern California Geology
Explore the varied geology of Southern California, from active faults and sedimentary basins to deserts, mountains, ancient shorelines, and volcanic features.
LOS ANGELES
Los Angeles Region
Explore faults, mountains, sedimentary basins, landslides, minerals, volcanoes, and other geologic features of the greater Los Angeles region.
SAN DIEGO
San Diego Region
Discover faults, ancient shorelines, marine terraces, sea caves, rivers, fossils, and other geologic features throughout San Diego County.
IMPERIAL VALLEY
Imperial Valley Region
Explore one of Southern California’s most geologically active regions, including faults, spreading centers, geothermal features, and the Salton Trough.
DEATH VALLEY
Death Valley Geology
Explore fault-block mountains, ancient Lake Manly shorelines, alluvial fans, salt flats, volcanic features, and other dramatic desert geology.
Special Reports
Geologic field guides, special studies, earthquake reports, and features covering significant geological topics throughout Southern California.
FAULTS
San Andreas Fault
Explore the San Andreas Fault and its visible geologic features throughout Southern California.
FIELD TRIPS
Geological Drives
Take self-guided drives through Southern California and examine geology directly from the roadway.
FAULTS
Sightseeing Faults
Discover locations where faulting and associated geologic structures can be viewed throughout Southern California.
SPECIAL STUDY
Ridge Route Geologic Investigation
June 2019 preliminary geologic investigation of the southern end of the historic Ridge Route.
GEOLOGIC HAZARDS
Landslide Threats
Learn about landslide hazards and the geological conditions that contribute to slope failures in Southern California.
EARTHQUAKES
Earthquakes and Movies
Take a look at the relationship between real Southern California earthquakes and their depiction in movies.
CITIZEN SCIENCE
Help the USGS with Earthquakes!
Find out how earthquake observations can help the USGS document earthquake intensity and effects.
RIDGECREST 2019
Ridgecrest Earthquake – Part 1
Part one of the field report covering the July 4–5, 2019 Ridgecrest earthquake sequence.
RIDGECREST 2019
Ridgecrest Earthquake – Part 2
Part two of the field report covering the July 4–5, 2019 Ridgecrest earthquake sequence.
Future Topic: Santa Clara River
Seismic Information
Check current earthquake activity throughout Southern California, California, and the surrounding region.
U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
Current Earthquake Report
View the latest earthquake locations and magnitudes using the U.S. Geological Survey interactive earthquake map.
CALTECH / USGS
Southern California Earthquakes
View recent earthquake activity in Southern California through the Southern California Earthquake Data Center at Caltech.
Additional Resources
Reference material, terminology, and additional websites for learning more about Southern California geology.
REFERENCE
Glossary of Geologic Terms Used
Definitions and explanations for geological terminology used throughout the geology section.
SOURCES
List of Resources Used
Books, publications, maps, and other references used in developing the geology pages on SoCalRegion.com.
ONLINE RESOURCES
Links to Other Geology Sites
Additional geology websites and online resources covering Southern California and related subjects.
Copyright 1995 – 2026 by Michael F. Ballard
All photographs, unless otherwise noted, on this website are owned by Michael Ballard, the owner of SoCalRegion.com.
