Gorda Ridge

Gorda Ridge

The Gorda Ridge is a tectonic spreading center located off the coast of Oregon and northern California north of Cape Mendocino. It runs from a triple junction with the San Andreas Fault and the Mendocino Fracture Zone northward to another transform boundary, the Blanco Fracture Zone. To its east is the Gorda Plate, which together with the Juan de Fuca Plate to its north, is what remains of the once-vast Farallon Plate which has been largely subducted under the North American Plate. To its west is the Pacific Plate.

Importance to geology

Due to its close proximity to the mainland, the Gorda Ridge and the Escabana Trough which runs down the middle of it are very important to geological research. The Escanaba Trough provides opportunities for scientists to learn details about tectonics, volcanism, mineral formation, and biological activity that are not normally observed at mid-ocean ridges.[1]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Koski, Dr Randolf, The Escanaba Trough of Gorda Ridge: A Laboratory for Mineral-forming Processes, Coastal & Marine Geology Program, U.S. Geological Survey, retrieved 2014-10-10

External links

Coordinates: 42°N 127°W / 42°N 127°W / 42; -127


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