| Western Transverse Ranges | |
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This part of the Cuyama River valley is choked with sediment from the crumbling young rocks around it. Notice the steep dip of the strata in the hills on the right. These are mostly continental rocks, formed on land as coarse sediment poured off rising mountains. Farther into the range, the older rocks are of marine origin—with more clay, finer sediment and stronger consolidation.
The extreme degree of erosion and lack of vegetation qualify this region as a badlands.
All photos (c) 2003 Andrew Alden, licensed to About.com, Inc.
Upper Cuyama River valley. View northwest, downstream.
