EXPLANATION

LACUSTRINE

L–1 Playa claystone/siltstone

L–2 Pebbly playa claystone/siltstone

L–3 Freshwater limestone

L–4 Tuffaceous marl

L–5 Sandy freshwater limestone 

BORDERLINE LACUSTRINE—FLUVIAL

FL–1 Clayey sandstone

FL–2 Siltstone 

FLUVIAL

F–1 Boulder conglomerate

F–2 Cobble conglomerate

F–3 Conglomeratic sandstone

F–4 Sandstone, often pebbly

ALLUVIAL

A–1 Desert alluvial conglomerate

A–2 Matrix-rich, clay-rich alluvial or debris-flow conglomerate

VOLCANIC

V–1 Tuff, ashfall or reworked

V–2 Ash-flow tuff, variably welded

V–3 Felsic lava 

V–4 Intermediate to mafic lava

MASS WASTING—GRAVITY DEPOSITS

MW–1 Rock-avalanche breccia

MW–2 Gravity slide blocks

MW–3 Sedimentary breccia

GROUNDWATER DISCHARGE DEPOSITS

GD Travertine and calcareous siltstone

2

1

 

1

I

F

I

BASE OF BADWATER

BASE OF OWLSHEAD

rhyolite of

Daylight 

Pass

 0

 100

 200

 300

 400

 500

 600

 700

 800

 900

 1,000

 1,100

 1,200

 1,300

 1,400

 1,500

 1,600

1,700

 1,800

 1,900

 2,000

 2,100

 2,200

 2,300

 2,400

 2,500

 2,600

 2,700

 2,800

 2,900

METERS

3

B

4

NORTHERN COTTONWOOD MOUNTAINS

(Snow and Lux, 1999)

*22.9 Ma

*23.8 Ma

*15.1 Ma

*15.9 Ma

*3.2 Ma

*3.7 Ma

Zw Mt

NAVADU FORMATION

PANUGA 

FORMATION UBEHEBE FORMATION

A

BASE OF BADWATER

BASE OF FURNACE CREEK

BASE OF NAVADU

BASE OF HELLS GATE 

 BASE OF TITUS CANYON

2

1

SOUTHERN COTTONWOOD MOUNTAINS

(Snow and Lux, 1999)

B

*3.2 Ma

*12.1 Ma

3

4

Pd

NAVADU FORMATION PANUGA FORMATION UBEHEBE FORMATION

*19.6 Ma

*20.4 Ma

BASE OF NAVADU

BASE OF FURNACE CREEK

BASE OF HELLS GATE 

BASE OF TITUS CANYON

BASE OF BADWATER

L

3

B *11.38 Ma

*3.35 Ma

*3.7 Ma

*4.0 Ma

*4.3 Ma

*4.37 Ma

*5.7 Ma

*7.4 Ma

provenance

 change

*7.8 Ma

Zwl

NOVA FORMATION

L

C

BASE OF NAVADU

 BASE OF OWLSHEAD

MILITARY CANYON FORMATION

FAULTED OUT

SOUTHERN OWLSHEAD

MOUNTAINS

(this study)

*11.6 Ma

*14.1 Ma

D

BASE OF FURNACE CREEK

Kg

BASE OF OWLSHEAD

FUNERAL FORMATION

POSTBASIN RANGE

FURNACE CREEK FORMATION

NORTHWESTERN FURNACE

CREEK BASIN

(McAllister, 1970; this study)

*3.5 - 3.1 Ma

*4.7 Ma?

ARTIST DRIVE FORMATION

E

LOWER MEMBER 

BADWATER

BASE OF FURNACE CREEK

BASE FAULTED OUT

CENTRAL FURNACE CREEK

BASIN AT BILLIE MINE

(McAllister, 1970, 1971; Wright 

and others, 1999)

4

2&3

B

b

FUNERAL

FORMATION

FURNACE CREEK

FORMATION ROCKS OF BILLIE MINE

F

BASE OF NAVADU BASE OF NAVADU

VIRGIN CANYON

(Wright & Troxel, 1984)

3

2

base not exposed

ktb 3.2 Ma

~4.5 Ma

PART 

ANDESITE OF

ASHFORD MILL MISCORRELATED AS FUNERAL FORMATION CHAOS” “AMARGOSA OF

G

BASE OF BADWATER

BASE OF FURNACE CREEK

BASE OF FURNACE CREEK

BASE OF NAVADU

SHADOW VALLEY BASIN

(Friedmann, 1999)

F

L

L

2

B

*7 Ma

*10.8 Ma

*11.4 Ma

*11.8 Ma

*12.0-12.5 Ma

*12.9 Ma

Zs

MEMBER IV MEMBER III MEMBER II MEMBER I (INCLUDES “PRE-BASINAL”)

SOUTHERN GRAPEVINE MOUNTAINS,

(Reynolds, 1969; Fridrich and Berry,

unpub. mapping)

H

POST-BASIN-RANGE

CIMA

BASALT

BASE OF FURNACE CREEK

BASE OF BADWATER

BASE OF OWLSHEAD

BASE OF HELLS GATE

OWLSHEAD

HELLS GATE

3

4

2

*6.35 Ma

ktb ≈7.8 Ma

ktb ≈9.9 Ma

ktb ≈10.4 Ma

ktb ≈10.5 Ma

ktb ≈11.3 Ma

ktb 11.45 Ma

ktb 11.6 Ma

ktb 13.35 Ma

1

B

ktb 13.5 Ma

ktb 14.0 Ma

ktb≈14.6 Ma

ktb 15.9 Ma

b

RHYOLITE OF

RAINBOW MOUNTAIN

TRACHYTE OF

DONOVAN MOUNTAIN

AMMONIA TANKS

TUFF

RAINIER MESA 

TUFF

TIVA CANYON 

TUFF

BULLFROG 

TUFF

TRAM 

TUFF RHYOLITE OF PICTURE ROCK RHYOLITE OF DAYLIGHT PASS GREEN CONGLOMERATE TITUS CANYON FORMATION BASALT RHYOLITE OF SARCOBATUS FLAT BASALT

SPEARHEAD

TUFF

rhyolite of

Sarcobatus

Flat

BASE OF FURNACE CREEK

BASE OF BADWATER

BASE OF NAVADU

BASE OF HELLS GATE

BASE OF TITUS CANYON

Zwl

NORTHERN FUNERAL MOUNTAINS

(Fridrich and Berry, unpub. mapping)

*7.5 Ma

ktb 7.5 Ma

<11.45 Ma

*14.6 Ma

L

2

B

*8.3 Ma

GREEN 

CONGLOMERATE TITUS CANYON FORMATION

J

BASE OF FURNACE CREEK

BASE OF NAVADU

BASE OF POST-BASIN-RANGE

BASE OF OWLSHEAD

BASE OF HELLS GATE

HELLS GATE

OWLSHEAD

BASE OF TITUS CANYON

B

BAT MOUNTAIN,

SOUTHEASTERN

FUNERAL MOUNTAINS

(Cemen and others, 1999)

*13.5 Ma

*22.6 Ma

*24.7 Ma

 (ktb 27 Ma)

Dl

*21.2 Ma

AMARGOSA VALLEY FORMATION KELLEYS WELL BAT MOUNTAIN FORMATION

CONGLOMERATE MEMBER CONGLOMERATE MEMBER LIMESTONE MEMBER RED SAMDSTONE MEMBER SANDSTONE MEMBER LIMESTONE

K BASE OF POST-BASIN RANGE

BASE OF NAVADU

BASE OF OWLSHEAD OWLSHEAD

HELLS GATE

BASE OF TITUS CANYON

NYE COUNTY DRILL HOLE–2DB

(Murray, 2002)

F

2

1

B

ktb 12.8 Ma

ktb 13.5 Ma

Dl

QT ALLUVIUM ROCKS OF PAVITS SPRING ROCKS OF WINAPI WASH

(RV–15.9 Ma)

(RV–26.0 Ma)

L

BASE OF NAVADU

BASE OF HELLS GATE

BASE OF NAVADU

(RV–Rhyolite of Daylight 

 Pass - ktb 14.6 Ma)

*6.2 Ma

UPPER MEMBER MIDDLE MEMBER 

*12.7 Ma

*13.7 Ma

ktb 12.7 Ma

NOVA BASIN

(Snyder and Hodges, 2000)

B

B

ktb≈11 Ma

ktb 27 Ma

 40 Ma (Fossil)



*≈13.3 Ma

ktb≈6.2 Ma

*13.2 Ma

REPRESENTATIVE CENOZOIC STRATIGRAPHIC COLUMNS FROM TWELVE LOCALES IN THE DEATH VALLEY REGION _>

By

Christopher J. Fridrich and Ren A. Thompson

2011

ktb≈6.2 Ma

Twelve representative Cenozoic sections from different parts of the Death Valley region, with a lithologic key, an index map 

showing locations of sections, and Argon ages, where known. The majority of sections are measured, whereas the others are 

approximated from map data or constrained by GPS readings. The sections are mainly compiled from the sources cited. Modifications from, and additions to the original data are based on new field work in this study. Depositional environments indicated 

are interpretive. All sections are hung on the ≈12.5 to ≈11.5 Ma regional unconformity (base of the Navadu assemblage). This 

horizon, along with the bases of the other tectonostratigraphic assemblages show correlations between sections. Argon ages 

following asterisks were determined from samples taken from the sections themselves, whereas ktb (known to be) indicates ages 

of widespread, easily recognizable volcanic units that are well dated elsewhere. In the furthest right section alone (Nye County 

well 2DB), RV signifies determined Argon ages of tuffs found in equivalent stratigraphic locations in Rock Valley, several 

kilometers east of this well (data from James C. Yount, retired USGS). Unconformities are basal (B), numbered oldest to youngest

by the tectonic reorganization in which they formed, or are local (L). 

SIERRA NEVADA

NORTHERN

BASIN

AND

RANGE

Avawatz 

 Range

Amargosa

 Desert E

White Mountains

Inyo Mountains

ARGUS RANGE

SLATE RANGE

MOJAVE

Cottonwood 

Mtns

Owens

Valley

Panamint Valley

NEVADA

TEST

SITE

DEATH

Pahrump Basin

Mountain Bare

Clark Mountains

CALIFORNIA

NEVADA

CALIFORNIA

NEVADA

Spring Mountains

CDVR

Grapevine–Funeral Mountains

BOUNDARY OF

DEATH VALLEY

REGION

KR

SVB

Indian

 Wells

Valley

Eureka Valley

SALINE

RANGE

Saline

Valley

LVVSZ

NORTHERN

BASIN

AND

RANGE

Avawatz 

 Range

118 ̊ 117 ̊ 116 ̊

37 ̊

36 ̊

Garlock

fault

0

0 50 KILOMETERS

50 MILES

NORTHERN

COTTONWOOD

MOUNTAINS A

SOUTHERN

COTTONWOOD

MOUNTAINS

B

NOVA

BASIN

C

SOUTHERN

GRAPEVINE

MOUNTAINS

I NORTHERN

FUNERAL

MOUNTAINS

J

NYE COUNTY

DRILLHOLE

2DB

L

NORTHWESTERN

FURNACE CREEK

BASIN

BAT MOUNTAIN,

SOUTHWESTERN

FUNERAL

MOUNTAINS

K

CENTRAL

FURNACE

CREEK BASIN

AT BILLIE MINE

F

SOUTHERN

OWLSHEAD

MOUNTAINS

SHADOW

VALLEY

BASIN

H

VIRGIN

CANYON

G

Black Mountains

Nopah Range

RSR

VALLEY

D

20 

20 

30

30

40

40

10

10

NEVADA

CALIF

MAP AREA

0

5

10

15

20

30

 40

0

3

6

11

12

15

16

19

27

Age (Ma) Volcanism

Very low rate basaltic;

except low-rate true

bimodal in Owens Valley

Desert alluvium >

lacustrine (all playa clay)

>> fluvial/much gypsum

Moderate-rate true-bimodal

basalt > to >> felsic;

no intermediates

Desert alluvium > fluvial >

lacustrine: (playa clay >>

freshwater limestone)

Fluvial _ lacustrine:

(limestone > claystone)

minor gypsum

Gypsum, but rare; mammal fossils common

(limestone > claystone)

Very high rate quasibimodal: felsics > basalt

> andesite and latite

% basalt increases up

Desert alluvium = fluvial >

lacustrine: (claystone >

limestone) gypsum common,

rare fossil plants, mostly palms

Moderate–rate andesiterhyolite association:

Fluvial = lacustrine:

(claystone _ limestone) >>

non-desert alluvium, moderate

gypsum, fossil metasequoias

nondeposition

No local volcanism but

abundant distal tuffs

Fewer and more distal

volcaniclastics + rare tuffs

Very rare tuffs, trivial volcaniclastics

Extremely rare or no tuffs or volcaniclastics Basal percussion-marked boulder

conglomerate on ultra-weathered

moderate-relief basal unconformity

~1 m.y. volcanic hiatus Abundant basal breccias

Lithology

FURNACE CREEK

19-16 Ma Lacuna

Cenozoic Stratigraphy of Death Valley Region 

TITUS

CANYON

NAVADU

BADWATER

OWLSHEAD

 HELLS

GATE

W E

(Owens Valley) (Pahrump Basin)

Isolated paleocanyon fill

~

~

>

>

Stage 4:

Stage 3:

Stage 2:

Stage 1:

Age (Ma)

POST–

BASIN–

RANGE

TCFS PRE–BASIN–RANGE

SYN–

BASIN–

RANGE

POSTBASINRANGE

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

PROFESSIONAL PAPER 1783

Plate 1

Suggested citation:

Fridrich, C.J., and Thompson, R.A., 2011, Cenozoic 

tectonic reorganizations of the Death Valley region, 

southeast California and southwest Nevada: U.S. 

Geological Survey Professional Paper 1783, 36 p., 1 plate.

For more information concerning this publication, contact:

Center Director, USGS Geology and Environmental Change Science Center

Box 25046, Mail Stop 980

Denver, CO 80225

(303) 236-5344

Or visit the Geology and Environmental Change Science Center Web site at:

http://esp.cr.usgs.gov/

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and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

Although this information product, for the most part, is in the public 

domain, it also contains copyrighted materials as noted in the text. 

Permission to reproduce copyrighted items for other than personal use

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This report is available at:

http://pubs.usgs.gov/pp/1783

Base modified from U.S. Geological Survey 

1:100,000-scale map

PANAMINT

RANGE