The Moraga Formation, also known as the Moraga Volcanics, is a geological formation that dates back to the Pliocene epoch. It is located in Berkeley Hills, East Bay Region, San Francisco Bay Area, California.[1]

Moraga Formation
(Moraga Volcanics)
Stratigraphic range: Pliocene epoch
TypeGeologic formation
UnderliesSiesta Formation
of Great Valley Group
OverliesOrinda Formation
Thickness1,200 feet (370 m)
Lithology
PrimaryBasaltic lava, with
andesite, basalt, rhyolite tuff
OtherClay, conglomerate, limestone
Location
RegionBerkeley Hills,
Alameda County and
Contra Costa County,
California
CountryUnited States
Type section
Named forMoraga Valley

The basaltic lava flow formation is found within Alameda County and Contra Costa County.[1][2] It can be seen in the Robert Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve and Caldecott Tunnel area of the Berkeley Hills.[3] It is named for an exposed occurrence in the Moraga Valley.

It overlies the Orinda Formation, and underlies the Siesta Formation of Great Valley Group.[4]

Fossils

It preserves freshwater fossils dating back to the Pliocene epoch of the Neogene period.[5]

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ a b USGS.gov: "Upper Cretaceous and Lower Tertiary Rocks Berkeley and San Leandro Hills, California", by J. E. Case, GEOLOGICAL SURVEY BULLETIN 1251-J, 1968.
  2. ^ Oakland Geology Blog: "Grizzly Peak and Moraga basalt"
  3. ^ Geology.about.com: "California Transect - Stop 30, Orinda Formation and Moraga Volcanics"
  4. ^ Lawrence Berkeley Lab.gov: "Berkeley Lab Geologist Studies the Ground Beneath His Feet"
  5. ^ Various Contributors to the Paleobiology Database. "Fossilworks: Gateway to the Paleobiology Database". Retrieved 17 December 2021.
edit