1/31/2024 What do you think the origin of the broad, flat surface is above the coastal cliffs shown below?Read NowThe melt is called magma when it is found beneath the earth’s surface or lava when it is erupted onto the surface. Igneous rocks were molten at some time in their history. There are three types of rocks: igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic, defined by how they are formed. To fully appreciate the geologic history of Salt Point State Park, it is helpful to understand how the rocks of the park formed and what dynamic processes were involved in the creation of the coastal mountains of California. The processes involved in its formation include those processes that move continents and create oceans, build mountains and generate destructive earthquakes. The terrain of the park has been formed and modified over tens of millions of years. We can look beneath the surface at the dramatic geologic processes that create this magnificent landscape. What makes Salt Point State Park so special? What has created this unique landscape? There are many more questions than we can easily answer, but we can begin to unravel the mysteries of its origin and formation. A pygmy forest of stunted cypress, pine, and even redwoods, as well as a large open “prairie,” provide unique surprises for the hiker. Habitats change from coastal grassland to forests of Bishop pine, madrone, tanoak, and redwoods. Uphill from the coast, the park continues to the top of the coastal ridge. Divers can enjoy the rich underwater world. Extending underwater, the rocks offer a range of habitats to a wide variety of marine plants and animals. The rocks are sculpted into an infinite variety of forms and shapes. Salt Point State Park provides spectacular vistas of the ocean, with rugged offshore rocks and steep sea cliffs that take the full impact of the waves. Professor Emeritaĭepartment of Geological Sciences California State University, East Bay
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