Geologic Map of the Death Valley ground-water model area, 

Nevada and California 

By Jeremiah B. Workman, Christopher M. Menges, William R. Page, Emily M. Taylor,


E. Bartlett Ekren, Peter D. Rowley, Gary L. Dixon, Ren A. Thompson, and Lauren A. Wright


Prepared in cooperation with the


Nevada Operations Office,


National Nuclear Security Administration,


U.S. Department of Energy


(Interagency Agreement DE-A108-96NV11967)


Pamphlet to accompany


Miscellaneous Field Studies MF-2381-A


U.S. Department of the Interior 

U.S. Geological Survey 

2002 
Contents 

Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 1


Methodology ................................................................................................................................. 1


Description of Map Units ............................................................................................................. 6


Surficial Deposits ............................................................................................................... 6


Bedrock Units ................................................................................................................................ 10


Silicic to Intermediate-composition Volcanic Rocks ................................................... 10


Basaltic Volcanic Rocks.................................................................................................... 12


Intrusive Rocks ................................................................................................................... 12


Sedimentary and Metamorphic Rocks ........................................................................... 13


References Cited .......................................................................................................................... 21


Figures 

1. Index of mapping sources ................................................................................................... 2


2.	 Distribution of GPS-located field observation points used in calibrating 


Quaternary mapping over study area ................................................................................ 4


Tables 

1.	 Correlation table of Upper Tertiary and Quaternary surficial units in the geologic


map of the Death Valley ground-water model area and other stratigraphic 


sequences in and adjoining the Death Valley area ......................................................... 5


2.	 Summary of selected surficial deposit units mapped in Death Valley


ground-water model area .................................................................................................... 8


III

Introduction 

The purpose of this map is to provide the surface expression of the geology in the Death Valley ground-water model area 

to be incorporated initially into a 3-D geologic framework 

model and eventually into a transient ground-water flow model 

by the U.S. Geological Survey (D’Agnese, 2000; D’Agnese and 

Faunt, 1999; Faunt and others, 1999; and O’Brien and others, 

1999). This work has been conducted in collaboration with the 

U.S. Department of Energy in order to assess regional ground 

water flow near the Nevada Test Site (NTS) and the potential 

radioactive waste repository at Yucca Mountain. The map is 

centered on the NTS and its perimeter encircles the entire 

boundary of the numerical flow model area, covering a total area 

of 57,000 km2. The physiography, geology, and tectonics of the 

model area are extremely complex (Hunt and Mabey, 1966; 

Stewart, 1980; Jennings, 1994; Slate and others, 2000; Wright 

and others, 1999b). The northern and eastern part of the area 

includes typical Basin and Range topography consisting of 

north-trending block-faulted ranges and intervening valleys. 

The central part contains diverse ranges, plateaus, basins, and 

alluvial flats (for example, the NTS volcanic highlands and 

Amargosa Valley). The rugged ranges and deep basins of the 

Death Valley region in eastern California are characteristic of 

the topography of the southern and western parts of the map 

area. The map spans numerous tectonic subdivisions of the 

Great Basin. Deformation includes several generations of upper 

Paleozoic to Mesozoic thrust faulting that have been dismembered by extensive regional Tertiary to Quaternary normal and 

strike-slip faults. Much of this extensional and translational 

deformation is active today, with rates and amounts that vary 

from low to moderate in the central, eastern, and northern parts 

of the study area in southern Nevada, to very high in the southwestern and western parts in eastern California. For detailed 

discussion of the tectonic framework of the map area, the reader 

is referred to Workman and others (2002). 

Methodology 

This geologic map of the Death Valley ground-water model 

area involves the compilation of geologic data taken from many 

sources (figure 1). Cenozoic volcanic and sedimentary rocks are 

compiled and divided into major regional units based upon their 

isotopically determined time ranges combined with general petrographic characteristics evident in thin-section analyses. These 

units follow the mapping strategy of regional ash-flow tuff 

sheets in Ekren and others (1977), except in the Nevada Test Site 

area where more detailed Cenozoic stratigraphy was maintained 

according to Slate and others (2000). Ash-flow stratigraphy is 

from Mackin (1960), Cook (1965), Williams (1967), Ekren and 

others (1971), Anderson and Rowley (1975), Best and others 

(1989a, b; 1993), Page and Dixon (1994), Sawyer and others 

(1994), Rowley and others (1994, 1995), Scott and others 

(1995a, b), and Warren and others (1998). Mesozoic, Paleozoic, 

and Proterozoic units and their thicknesses were compiled 

mainly from Slate and others (2000), Albers and Stewart (1972), 

Burchfiel and others (1983a, b), Page and others (in press), 

Cornwall (1972), Jennings (1961), Jennings and others (1962), 

Kleinhampl and 

Ziony (1985), A. Jayko (unpublished mapping, 1990), 

Snow (1992), Strand (1967), Streitz and Stinson (1974), Wright 

and others (in press), and P. Guth and J. Yount (unpublished mapping, 1994). Unit thicknesses are not given for volcanic rocks 

because of the extreme lateral variability in thicknesses that are 

commonly observed in volcanic units within the map area. 

In contrast to the bedrock units, the compilation of upper 

Tertiary to Quaternary surficial units is based on new interpretive mapping supported by reconnaissance field observations 

(figure 2). Surficial units were identified and compiled on rectified Landsat 5 Thematic Mapping (TM) image maps at 

1:100,000-scale, and incorporated into the map and database. 

The TM data in these satellite image maps were specially processed to maximize the spectral discrimination of surficial 

deposits in arid to semiarid basins using procedures outlined in 

Menges and others (1999, 2000). Unit identification on the 

image maps was supplemented by (a) stereographic photo-interpretation of black and white high-altitude aerial photographs 

(nominal scale of 1:80,000), (b) calibration using field data collected at over 600 GPS-located stations in the map area (figure 

2), and (c) variations in geomorphic characteristics derived from 

30-m-DEMs using the techniques of Jayko and Pritchett (1999) 

and Jayko and Menges (2001). Surficial units on the map were 

provisionally correlated with upper Tertiary to Quaternary units 

identified in other studies conducted at varying scales and levels 

of detail in the map area. Although most of the surficial units 

are derived from new mapping, some existing regional-scale 

maps were adapted and incorporated (table 1). A number of 

more localized and detailed maps and reports were used for reference during map compilation in specific localities and (or) as 

general age control for the surficial units used in this map 

(Menges and others, 2001). Surficial mapping in the southern 

and western sections of the map were compiled at greater detail 

because the major Death Valley ground-water basin discharge 

occurs in these areas, and this part of the map contains a greater 

density of field control and more pre-existing detailed geologic 

maps and studies. Refer to Menges and others (2001) for more 

information on methodologies and correlations of surficial map 

units used in this study. 

1

2 Geologic map of the Death Valley ground-water model area, Nevada and California

1. Albers and Stewart (1972)

2. Cornwall (1972)

3. Ekren and others (1977)

 Tschanz and Pampeyan (1970)

4. P. Guth and J. Yount (unpublished mapping, 1994)

5. A. Jayko (unpublished mapping, 1990)

6. Jennings (1961)

7. Jennings and others (1962)

 8. Kleinhampl and Ziony (1985) 

 9. Longwell and others (1965)

10. Page and others (in press)

11. Slate and others (2000)

12. Strand (1967)

13. Streitz and Stinson (1974)

14. Wright and others (in press)

1

2 3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

12 11

13

14

PRIMARY COMPILATION SOURCES

NEVADA

TEST

SITE

MAP AREA BOUNDARY

DEATH VALLEY 

GROUNDWATER

MODEL AREA

118°00'00" 116°00' 115°00'00" 117°00'

38°15'00"

38°00'

37°00'

36°00'

35°00'00"

Figure 1 (above and following page). Index of mapping sources. 

figure above and all secondary, more detailed and updated sources are listed by region on the following page.

Primary compilation sources are shown on the 
SECONDARY COMPILATION SOURCES 

1. 12.


McKee (1985) Klinger and Sarna-Wojcicki (2001)


Reheis (1992) McKee (1985)


Ross (1967) Moring (1986)


Reheis (1992) 

2. Ross (1967)


Ekren and others (1971; 1973; 1976) Sarna-Wojcicki and others (2001)


Gardner and others (1980)


Klinger and Piety (1996) 13.


Klinger and Sarna-Wojcicki (2001) Burchfiel (1969)


Moring (1986) Hall (1971)


Klinger and Peity (1996) 

3. Klinger and Sarna-Wojcicki (2001) 

E. Ekren and P. Rowley McAllister (1956) 

(unpublished mapping, 2000)	 Ross (1967) 

Sarna-Wojcicki and others (2001) 

4. Snow and Lux (1999)


Ekren and others (1977) Stone (1984)


Guth (1980)


Longwell and others (1965) 14.


Tschanz and Pampeyan (1970) Abolins (1999)


Beratan and others (1999) 

5. Brady (1986)


Ekren and others (1977) Brady and Troxel (1999)


Tschanz and Pampeyan (1970) B. Burchfiel and G. Davis 


(unpublished mapping, 1992) 

6. Burchfiel and others (1983a, b) 

B. Burchfiel and G. Davis Butler and others (1988) 

(unpublished mapping, 1992)	 Calzia and others (2000) 

Cemen and others (1999) 

8. Denny (1965) 

Ekren and others (1971; 1973; 1976)	 Denny and Drewes (1965) 

Drewes (1963) 

9. Hall and Stephens (1963) 

B. Burchfiel (unpublished mapping, 1971) Hay and others (1986) 

Carr and Pinkston (1987) Hillhouse (1987) 

Hunt and Mabey (1966) 

10. Klinger and Peity (1996)


Abolins (1999) Klinger and Sarna-Wojcicki (2001)


B. Burchfiel (unpublished mapping, 1971) Knott (1998; 1999)


Burchfiel and others (1974; 1983a, b) Machette, Klinger, and Knott (2001)


Lundstrom and others (1998; in press) Machette, Menges, and others (2001)


Maldonado and Schmidt (1990) McAllister (1970)


McKittrick (1988) 

11. D. Miller and J. Yount 


Barnes and others (1982) (unpublished mapping, 2000)


Burchfiel (1965) Morrison (1999)


Hay and others (1986) Prave and McMackin (1999)


Machette and others (1999) Sarna-Wojcicki and others (2001)


Machette, Klinger, and Knott (2001) Snow and Lux (1999)


Potter and others (in press) Stone (1984)


Sarna-Wojcicki and others (2001) Taylor (1993)


Troxel (1986)


Troxel and Butler (1986a, b)


Wagner and Hsu (1987)


Wright and Troxel (1984; 1993)


Wright and others (1999a)


Methodology 3 
4 Geologic map of the Death Valley ground-water model area, Nevada and California

Location of field station

 (shown at 4X map scale)

NEVADA

TEST

SITE

MAP AREA BOUNDARY

DEATH VALLEY 

GROUNDWATER

MODEL AREA

118°00'00" 116°00' 115°00'00" 117°00'

38°15'00"

38°00'

37°00'

36°00'

35°00'00"

Figure 2. Distribution of GPS-located field observation points used in calibrating Quaternary mapping over study area.
Table 1. Correlation table of upper Tertiary and Quaternary surficial units in the geologic map of the Death Valley ground-water model area and 

adjoining the Death Valley area. Only correlations with regional-scale mapping projects which were directly incorporated into the geologic map o

area are included. 

[First column from left includes surficial units for Death Valley ground-water model area at regional (1:250,000) scale. The next five columns to right are Quaterna

both published and in progress that were incorporated into the Death Valley ground-water model area mapping program. Correlations on chart are based primarily only secondarily on genetic association (for example, alluvium vs. discharge deposits) to minimize effects of contrasting level of detail in various types of units amto minimum and maximum age estimates, in ka] 

Geologic map of the Death Valley 

ground-water model area— 

1:250,000 scale1 

Geologic map of the 

Yucca Mountain 

region— 

1:50,000 scale2 

Geologic map of the 

Nevada Test Site— 

1:100,000 scale3 

Geologic map of the 

Indian Springs 

quadrangle— 

1:100,000 scale4 

Geologic map of the 

Pahranagat 

quadrangle— 

1:100,000 scale5 

QTau, 

QTd, 

QTsf, 

QTls 

(0->758) 

Qau, 

Qe 

Qc, Qp 

(0-1) Qay, 

Qayf 

(Qayfe) 

(0-18) 

Qar 

(0-2) 

QTm, 

QTc, 

QTu 

Qt, 

Qlb 

Qay, Qey, 

Qed, Qp, 

Qps 

Qua, Qp, 

Qal, Qse, 

Qls 

Qya, Qyf, Qae, 

Qve, Qyl 

Qe, Qls, 

Qp, QTol 

Qs, Qsc 

Qayo 

(5-18) 

Qay, Qey 

(5-18) 

Qao, Qlc 

(18-758) 

Qam, Qem, Qsd 

(30-250) Qai, Qeo Qia, Qof, Qol Qog, QTos?, 

QTs? 

Qao 

(500->758) QTa (500->758) QTa Qoa, Qof 

QToa 

QTog, 

QTos, 

QTs, 

1 Units are summarized in unit description text and in Table 2. 2 Potter and others (in press): Geologic Map of Yucca Mountain region (Surficial units mapped by E. Taylor). 

3 Slate and others (2000): Digital geologic map of the Nevada Test Site (revision 4, at 1:100,000 scale). Surficial units mapped by J. Slate, M. Berry, and V

interpretation on Beatty 1:100,000-scale quadrangle and the westernmost part of the Pahranagat Range and Indian Springs 1:100,000-scale quadrangles. Su1:100,000-scale quadrangle adapted from mapping of W. Swadley. 

4 P.L. Guth and J.C. Yount, unpublished mapping: Geologic map of Indian Springs 1:100,000-scale quadrangle (Quaternary and upper Tertiary surficial unit

5 A.S. Jayko, unpublished mapping: Geologic map of Pahranagat 1:100,000-scale quadrangle (Quaternary and upper Tertiary surficial units included in map

6 Page and others (in press): Geologic map of the Las Vegas 1:100,000-scale quadrangle (Quaternary and upper Tertiary surficial units mapped by S.C. Lun

Methodology 5

Description of Map Units 

Surficial Deposits 

The surficial units in this map include some modifications 

from the standard types of surficial-deposit units encountered in 

most geologic maps. These modifications are designed to 

emphasize factors of potential importance to the hydrogeologic 

framework model for the Death Valley ground-water model, as 

well as infiltration-recharge and discharge elements of the 

model. This includes not only differentiation of specific units, 

such as modern channels, discharge deposits, and playas, that 

directly impact these factors, but also identification of generalized textural variations in deposits of potential hydrologic significance. That is, variation in grain size was approximated by 

differentiating where possible (a) fine-grained deposits on distal 

alluvial fans and alluvial plains in basin interiors from coarsegrained alluvial deposits in proximal or medial piedmont positions, and (b) fine-grained Quaternary to Tertiary basin sediments from coarse-grained alluvium of similar age range. The 

latter fine-grained basin sediments typically include Pleistocene 

to upper Tertiary basin-fill deposits of mixed lacustrine, alluvial, 

and (or) paludal origin exposed in some dissected basins (Hillhouse, 1987; Morrison, 1999), but locally may delineate primarily lacustrine deposits in a few closed basins (Klinger and 

Sarna-Wojcicki, 2001). Alluvial units are further subdivided 

according to more standard age categories that reflect other 

potentially important hydrologic characteristics such as degree 

of soil and pavement development, cementation, and amount of 

internal dissection. Colluvial deposits are not included on this 

map because (a) they are difficult to systematically identify on 

the image maps and aerial photography, (b) these deposits are 

commonly thin and discontinuous, especially at map scale, and 

(c) they typically occur in range blocks and upland areas where 

they would tend to obscure the hydrogeologically more significant lithology and structure of subjacent bedrock. 

Specific characteristics of all units, including physiographic 

position, dissection, surface and weathering characteristics, and 

selected soil and sedimentologic properties, are summarized in 

table 2. General ranges of unit thickness are estimated below, 

but are highly variable and poorly constrained due to a lack of 

basal exposures of most surficial deposits in the area. The typical range of unit thickness given first applies to most surficial 

deposits located in basins within the central and eastern parts of 

the map with low to moderate rates of tectonic activity and basin 

subsidence in localized areas. A larger maximum range is given 

for some deposits to reflect their likely greater thicknesses adjacent to the fault-bounded margins of basins such as central 

Death Valley in the western part of the map with high rates of 

tectonic activity and basin subsidence. 

Qc Channel alluvium (Holocene)—Typically unconsolidated gravel, sand, and (or) silt; generally associated with zones of active to very recent surface flow 

and deposition. Identified on primary map only for 

selected major drainages that are differentiable at 

map scale. No significant weathering or modification of the original depositional surface. May 

locally include braided channel systems with small 

inclusions of Qay, Qayf, Qayo, and (or) Qao 

alluvium. Thickness varies from 0 to 30 m, commonly from 1 to 10 m 

Qp Playa and (or) salt pan deposits (Holocene)—Variably consolidated mixtures of silt, clay, and fine 

sand. May contain varying proportions of secondary carbonate, gypsum, and (or) salts in very arid 

basins. Generally restricted to sites of active deposition in the interior of closed to poorly drained 

basins. No significant surface modification or soil 

development, although salt crusts of variable hardness and thickness may develop on surface. Deposit 

thickness is poorly constrained, but may vary from 

1 to 10 m for deposits of this age; commonly underlain by poorly constrained and potentially thicker 

accumulations of older playa or lacustrine deposits 

of middle to early Holocene and Pleistocene age 

Qay Young alluvium (Holocene to latest Pleistocene?)— 

Mostly medium- to coarse-grained alluvium consisting of boulder to pebble gravel and sand, but 

may locally include fine-grained deposits of sand 

and silt. Typically unconsolidated to poorly consolidated. Commonly located in the proximal and distal positions of alluvial fans flanking basins, but also 

may include gravel- and sand-dominated axial 

drainages and fluvial terraces. Typically has no or 

weak soil development, no to moderate varnish 

development on clasts, and no to moderately modified surfaces characterized by prominent to indistinct relict depositional landforms (for example, bar 

and swale) with at most localized and incipient surface pavement development. Typically low surface 

relief related mainly to primary depositional features with at most minor dissection, although latter 

may increase adjacent to incised major drainages. 

Variable thickness commonly ranging from 0 to 20 

m; possibly as much as 30 m adjacent to tectonically active mountain fronts 

Qayf Young fine-grained alluvium (Holocene to latest 

Pleistocene?)—Mostly sand and (or) silt, locally 

with minor pebble gravel. Unconsolidated to poorly 

consolidated. Mostly associated with alluvial plains 

along the axial drainages of basin interiors, but may 

include fine-grained distal fan margins where 

clearly distinguishable from coarser-grained facies 

on aerial photography or image maps. Typically 

gentle surface gradients and minimal local relief. 

Has soil and surface characteristics similar to unit 

Qay, with some variation related to topographic 

position and finer-grained character (for example, 

minimal bar and swale development and fine-textured soil characteristics). Variable thickness from 

0 to 10 m; possibly as much as 30 m in the interiors 

of tectonically active subsiding basins 

6 Geologic map of the Death Valley ground-water model area, Nevada and California 
Qayfe Evaporite surface crust of salts and (or) carbonate 

(Holocene to latest Pleistocene?)—Localized areas 

of thin evaporative surface crust of salts and (or) 

carbonate overlying unit Qayf 

Qayo Intermediate-age alluvium (middle Holocene to latest 

Pleistocene?)—Mostly medium- to coarse-grained 

gravel (boulder to pebble) and sand deposits in 

proximal and medial basin positions. Poorly consolidated to unconsolidated. Generally has weakly 

developed soils, weak to moderate varnish development on clasts, and weak to moderate surface modification characterized by no to incipient pavement 

development with strong to weak relict bar and 

swale landforms. Local relief similar to that of unit 

Qay. Unit mapped where sufficiently large older 

elements of unit Qay may be differentiated on 

images or aerial photography and (or) are identified 

in field or on existing maps; otherwise unit is 

included within Qay. Variable thickness ranges 

from 0 to 10 m, with possibly as much as 20 m adjacent to tectonically active mountain fronts 

Qe Eolian deposits (Holocene to middle Pleistocene) 

Generally loose, but locally consolidated sand and 

silt, with local concentrations of gravel on stabilized 

surfaces commonly associated with buried paleosols. Typically consists of Holocene sand sheets or 

dune fields sufficiently thick and continuous to be 

mapped and (or) large individual dunes. May also 

locally include large relict late to mid-Pleistocene 

sand ramp deposits that are banked along the flanks 

of some ranges and may contain one or more variably developed calcic to petrocalcic relict or buried 

soils. Generally restricted to areas with sufficient 

sand accumulation to form discrete eolian landforms. Thickness of most sand sheets and dune 

fields vary from 0 to 10 m, but deposits in individual 

large dunes and sand ramps may increase locally 

from 30 to 200 m (for example, northern Amargosa 

Desert and southeastern Eureka Valley) 

Qau Undifferentiated alluvium (Holocene to Pleistocene)—Mainly used to delineate areas with intermixed Qay, Qayf, and (or) Qao deposits, with at 

most minor inclusions of QTa that cannot be 

depicted individually at map scale. Generally consists of various alluvial units of recent to middle 

Pleistocene age that individually comprise from 

20% to 80% of area, with at most 5-10% inclusions 

of unit QTa. Commonly used on piedmonts with 

complex suites of alluvial deposits, or along drainages with narrow suites of terraces or inset surfaces, 

within that age range 

QTau Undifferentiated older alluvium (Holocene to latest 

Tertiary)—Mainly used to delineate areas of 

mixed Qay, Qayf, Qayo, Qao, QTa or QTsf units 

that are too small or too complexly intermingled to 

depict individually at map scale. Commonly identified where complex suites of deposits of widely 

mixed ages are located in proximal piedmonts or 

range-front embayments, interiors of dissected 

basins, or small narrow intramontane valleys or 

basins. In contrast to unit Qau, older QTa and 

QTsf comprise a significant component of unit 

QTau (commonly >10-20% of unit area). Also 

used to indicate areas where one or more of the 

Quaternary or Quaternary and Tertiary deposits 

listed above are complexly intermingled with dissected tracts of unconsolidated to poorly consolidated Tertiary sediments in patterns too complex or 

small to discriminate individually at map scale 

QTd Deposits associated with modern or past groundwater discharge (Holocene to late Tertiary)— 

Typically fine-grained deposits of fine sand, silt, and 

mud, but may locally include dense crystalline 

deposits of limestone or travertine. Variably indurated, from unconsolidated to cemented. Generally 

associated with variable amounts of organic material, phreatophytic or wetland fauna, and (or) secondary precipitates of carbonate or silica commonly 

derived from ground-water. Commonly consists of 

fossil deposits (latest Pleistocene or older in age) 

that formed in paludal to lacustrine environments 

associated with formerly expanded sites of groundwater paleodischarge that are entirely or largely 

inactive under current climatic conditions, although 

unit locally is associated with areas of active seepage or spring discharge. May include older finegrained (inactive) playa or lacustrine deposits 

locally. Thickness of unit variable, depending on 

age range of exposed units. Commonly from 0 to 10 

m for exposed deposits, but possibly as much as 100 

m or more in subsurface or in some dissected basin 

interiors (for example, southwestern Pahrump Valley; Page and others, in press) 

QTls Landslide block (Holocene to late Tertiary)—Generally brecciated but coherent (commonly recemented) bedrock outcrop, typically emplaced above 

or interstratified within surficial materials or upper 

basin-fill sediments in basin piedmonts or along 

range fronts. Thickness variable and poorly determined, as base of slide blocks generally are not 

exposed and thus basal depths must be estimated 

mainly from geophysical data. Exposed thicknesses 

commonly from 10 to 100 m, but may range to more 

than 500 m in subsurface 

QTsf Old alluvial, paludal, or lacustrine sediments (Pleistocene to late Tertiary)—Typically fine-grained 

fluvial, paludal, or lacustrine basin-fill sediments 

consisting of mixtures of poorly to well stratified 

silt, clay and fine sand. Variable induration, from 

unconsolidated to well consolidated. May contain 

local gravel-dominated channels and interbeds, 

paleodischarge deposits, interbedded tuffs, and (or) 

buried soils. Deposits are typically exposed in 

bluffs, ridges, or badland areas in dissected basin 

interiors (for example, beds of Lake Tecopa Allogroup of Morrison, 1999) or in uplifted fault blocks 

Description of Map Units 7 
8
 Geologic map of the Death Valley ground-water model area, Nevada and California 

Table 2. Summary of selected surficial deposit units mapped in Death Valley ground-water model area. [Table summarizes characteristics of the most common and distinctive surficial-deposit units in the Death 

Valley groundwater model mapping program subdivided i

of deposits. Mixed undifferentiated units (Qau and QTau) are not included because they consist of various proportions of other units listed below and thus lack a co

bedrock landslide unit, is not included, because it resembles bedrock on the images and aerial photography and in the field consists of brecciated bedrock outcrop. variant of Qayf distinguished only by a thin crust of carbonate or salt on the surface of the deposit (see unit descriptions). The first three columns list map unit, gene

correlations with specific local- to regional-scale studies with independent age control in and adjacent to the map area (listed in Menges and others, 2001). The nexobserved in the satellite image maps and black and white aerial photography used to interpret and compile units for map. The remainder of the columns list charact

surfaces that are primarily based on observations from field traverses. Characteristics are summarized from full area of Death 

Valley ground-water model, and thus 

of geologic, tectonic, and local climatic conditions across the region. N/A indicates not applicable.] 

Unit1 Type2 Age3 Image/Photo Characteristics4 Physiographic 

Position5 

Internal 

Dissection6 

Surface Characteristics7 Varnish8 Gen

Chara

Image Maps Black & 

White Aerial 

Photography 

Pavement Bar and 

Swale 

Qc Channel 

alluvium 

Recent 

Variable, light 

colored to white; 

light blue where 

salt encrusted 

White to 

light gray 

Intrarange valleys, piedmonts, 

and axial basin 

drainages 

None to 

minor 

thalweg 

incision 

None Unmodified 

primary 

None (only 

inherited) 

N

Qay Medium -

to coarsegrained 

alluvium 

Recent to 

Holocene, 

locally latest 

Pleistocene 

Light to dark 

colors, 

including 

browns; rough to 

medium textures 

Light to 

medium gray 

Proximal to 

distal 

piedmonts, 

terraces, coarse 

axial drainages 

None to 

minor 

(mostly 

primary) 

None to 

weak, 

locally 

moderate 

Unmodified 

to faint (but 

discernable) 

None to 

moderate 

Non

(cambic 

calcic 

Qayo Medium -

to coarsegrained 

alluvium 

Middle to 

early 

Holocene, 

locally latest 

Pleistocene 

Medium to dark 

colors, 

including 

browns; 

medium textures 

Medium to 

dark grays 

Proximal to 

distal 

piedmonts, 

terraces 

None to 

minor 

Weak to 

locally 

moderate 

Faint, but 

discernable 

Weak to 

moderate 

Weak (

Stag

ho

Qayf Finegrained 

alluvium 

Recent to 

Holocene, 

locally latest 

Pleistocene 

Light to medium 

colors, 

including brown; 

light blue where 

salt encrusted; 

smooth to 

medium textures 

White and 

light to 

medium 

grays 

Mostly finegrained axial 

drainages and 

interior alluvial 

plains, some 

distal piedmonts 

None to very 

minor 

None to 

weak, 

locally 

moderate 

None to 

faint 

None to 

moderate 

Non

(cambic 

carbona

Qao Mediumto coarsegrained 

alluvium 

Pleistocene Light to dark 

colors, including brown to 

reddish brown; 

smooth to 

medium textures 

Light to 

medium 

grays 

Proximal to 

medial, and 

locally distal, 

piedmonts; 

terraces in 

intrarange 

valleys 

Commonly 

moderate to 

strong; 

locally minor 

Strong to 

moderate; 

present on 

interfluves 

where 

dissected 

None Strong to 

moderate 

Strong t

includes 

(or) S

calcic to 

ho

QTa Medium -

to coarsegrained 

alluvium 

Middle 

Pleistocene to 

Pliocene 

Light to medium 

colors, possible 

light-brown tint; 

smooth to 

medium textures 

Light to 

medium 

grays 

Proximal to 

locally medial 

piedmonts; 

range-front 

embayments; 

intrarange 

valleys 

Commonly 

strong and 

deep (ballena topography) 

None to 

weak, 

commonly 

with 

carbonate 

chips 

None None to 

weakly 

preserved 

Strong 

variab

Sta

petroc

pre
Table 2—Continued. Summary of selected surficial deposit units mapped in Death Valley ground-water model area. 

[Table summarizes characteristics of the most common and distinctive surficial-deposit units in the Death Valley groundwater model mapping program subdivided 

of deposits. Mixed undifferentiated units (Qau and QTau) are not included because they consist of various proportions of other units listed below and thus lack a co

bedrock landslide unit, is not included, because it resembles bedrock on the images and aerial photography and in the field consists of brecciated bedrock outcrop. variant of Qayf distinguished only by a thin crust of carbonate or salt on the surface of the deposit (see unit descriptions). The first three columns list map unit, gene

correlations with specific local- to regional-scale studies with independent age control in and adjacent to the map area (listed in Menges and others, 2001). The neobserved in the satellite image maps and black and white aerial photography used to interpret and compile units for map. The remainder of the columns list charac

surfaces that are primarily based on observations from field traverses. Characteristics are summarized from full area of Death Valley ground-water model, and thus 

of geologic, tectonic, and local climatic conditions across the region. N/A indicates not applicable.] 

Qlc Medium to 

coarsegrained 

lacustrine 

deposits 

Late to 

middle 

Pleistocene 

Light to dark 

colors, 

including brown 

to reddish 

brown; smooth 

to medium 

textures 

Light to 

medium 

grays 

Mostly medial to 

distal piedmonts 

Commonly 

moderate to 

strong; 

locally minor 

Strong to 

moderate, 

but present 

on 

interfluves 

where 

dissected 

None Strong to 

moderate 

Strong 

include

(or) S

calcic t

ho

QTsf Finegrained 

lacustrine, 

inactive 

playa, and 

alluvial 

deposits 

Pleistocene to 

Pliocene 

White to light 

colors; medium 

to smooth 

textures 

White to 

light grays 

Variable, 

including 

proximal to distal fans and 

basin interiors 

Moderate to 

strong, in 

dissected 

basins; 

locally none 

N/A N/A N/A Local b

sols, var

strong 

Qp Active 

playa and 

salt flat 

deposits 

Recent to late 

Holocene 

White to 

variegated light 

and pastel colors; light blue 

where moist; 

smooth textures 

White to 

light grays 

Basin interiors None None None None No

nea

encrust

QTd Inactive 

and active 

discharge 

deposits 

Recent to 

Pliocene 

White to 

variegated light 

and pastel 

colors; light blue 

where moist; 

smooth to 

medium 

textures; local 

green vegetation 

White to 

light grays 

Mostly distal 

piedmonts and 

basin interiors; 

locally proximal 

to medial 

piedmonts 

None to 

moderate 

None; 

locally 

weak to 

moderate on 

alluvial 

caps 

N/A; none 

to weak (on 

alluvial 

caps) 

None to 

weak (on 

alluvial 

caps) 

None 

(may in

calcic 

Qe Eolian 

deposits 

Holocene to 

middle 

Pleistocene 

Light brown, 

pinkish gray to 

pink; medium 

textures 

Light grays Mostly basin 

interiors; locally 

variable 

piedmont 

None None N/A None 

Description of Map Units 

1 Labels used to identify surficial units for Death Valley ground-water model area geologic map. Units are subdivided into alluvial and other ( that is, lacustrine, playa/salt flat, eolian, grou

posite or mixed age-range alluvial units (Qau and QTau) and the bedrock landslide unit (QTls) for reasons explained in table header.


2 General type or classification of deposit, including general size range of coarse fraction, such that medium- to coarse-grained refers to gravel and sand and fine-grained refers to sand, si3 Age range of deposits, based on correlations to local or regional studies with geochronologic control listed in Menges and others (2001).
4 Typical characteristics of unit observed in satellite image maps and aerial photography used to interpret and compile maps. Satellite image refers to the specially processed Landsat 5 T

scale quadrangles for compilation of units and Black & White aerial photography refers to high-altitude black and white aerial photography that were used as aid to interpretive mappin

5 Typical physiographic positions of unit within landscape, commonly given in reference to alluvial basins and (or) bedrock ranges.
6 Relative amount of local dissection or incision of drainages within or along margins of given mapped area of deposit. Common depth ranges include 0-2 m (minor), 2-5 m (moderate), 7 Degree of desert varnish observed at surface, given qualitatively in reference to darkening of tops and (or) reddening of undersides of surface clasts.
8 Degree of desert varnish observed at surface, given qualitatively in reference to darkening of tops and (or) reddening of undersides of surface clasts.
9 General strength of maximum soil development associated with upper surface of deposits, typically as observed in natural outcrops (gullies) or road cuts, or as exposed in shallow pits. 

profiles could not be excavated during the reconnaissance field traverses required for this project. Observations focused on relative degree of development of horizons of secondary acculocally salt or silica, and presence or absence of cambic or argillic horizons. In some cases, generalized soil characteristics were inferred less reliably where soil was not exposed on undis

carbonate chips, carbonate rinds on clasts, and materials brought up from burrowing insects or rodents.


10Typical textural size range of deposits, given for gravels in terms of coarse (cobble to boulder) or fine (pebble to cobble) grained. 11Degree of internal cementation or induration throughout deposits, below surface zone of soil development. Bonding agent varies from fines (silt, clay) in uncemented to poorly cemente

cement in moderately to strongly cemented materials. 

9

(beds of Confidence Hills Formation of Beratan and 

others, 1999), although unit locally includes finegrained primarily lacustrine deposits as young as 

late to middle Pleistocene related to pluvial lakes 

within enclosed basins (for example, northern Death 

Valley; Klinger and Sarna-Wojcicki, 2001). Variable 

thickness from 0 to greater than 100 m in exposed 

sections. Total thickness in basin subsurface may 

exceed 300 m 

Qao Old alluvium (late to middle Pleistocene)—Typically 

medium- to coarse-grained gravel (boulder to pebble 

gravel dominated) and sand deposits in proximal and 

medial basin positions, but may locally include 

regions with fine-grained sand and silt at surface in 

some closed-basin settings. Variable induration but 

generally moderately consolidated to unconsolidated below potentially cemented well-developed 

soils. Has moderately to well-developed soils, moderate to strong varnish development on clasts, and 

moderate- to well-developed surface pavements with 

no detectable bar-and-swale landforms. Variable 

local relief, ranging from undissected to well 

incised, depending on local base-level conditions, 

but typically with at least some local incision; unit 

typically contains at least some varnished pavement 

surfaces preserved on flat to broadly rounded interfluves even where strongly dissected. Thickness of 

individually mapped units at surface typically from 

0 to 30 m, but may increase to 50-100 m along tectonically active range-fronts. Aggregate thickness of 

all Pleistocene-age alluvial units adjacent to tectonically active range fronts may exceed 500 m in subsurface 

Qlc Old lacustrine deposits (late to middle Pleistocene)— 

Generally fine- to meidum-grained gravel (mostly 

pebble to cobble, some small boulder) and sand, 

related primarily to pluvial lakes formed in closed 

basins such as central Death Valley (Machette, 

Klinger, and Knott, 2001). May locally include finegrained sand and silt beds and (or) variably 

cemented tufa deposits. Generally moderately consolidated to unconsolidated beneath surface soils, 

except where associated with cemented densely 

crystalline tufa. Has moderate- to well-developed 

soils, moderate to strong varnish development on 

surface clasts, and moderate- to well-developed surface pavements with no detectable bar and swale 

landforms. Variable local relief, ranging from undissected to deeply dissected, depending on local baselevel conditions, but typically with at least some 

local incision; unit typically contains at least some 

varnished pavement surfaces preserved on flat to 

broadly rounded interfluves even where strongly dissected. Unit similar in many respects to unit Qao, 

but is differentiable based on generally finer gravel 

texture, better sorting and rounding of coarse fraction, and common association with lacustrine depositional features and landforms (for example, 

shorelines; spits and bars; forset, backset, or deltaic 

stratification). Thickness variable, but typically 

from 0 to 20 m; locally as much as 50 m 

QTa Oldest alluvium (middle Pleistocene to late Ter

tiary)—Generally medium- to coarse-grained 

gravel (boulder to pebble) and sand. Variable induration, from poorly consolidated beneath cemented 

surface soils to well cemented throughout. Mostly 

associated with old dissected fans and (or) gravelsand dominated basin fill deposits, commonly 

located at basin margins. Typically has strongly 

developed or eroded relict soils (usually dominated 

by variably degraded cemented petrocalcic to petrosalic horizons). Generally strongly incised into ballena (ridge-ravine) topography with little or no 

preservation of pavements or original surfaces on 

narrow interfluves. Thickness generally from 0 to 

100 m, but may increase to 300 m locally. Generally not preserved at surface on basin side of tectonically active range-front faults 

Bedrock Units 

Within the Tertiary section, we have followed the mapping 

strategy of Ekren and others (1977). Sedimentary and volcanic 

units are subdivided based upon age range. Within each age 

range, the rocks are further subdivided into lava flows, tuffs, and 

associated sedimentary rocks. These units represent four major 

stages in the Tertiary tectonic evolution of the region. Unit 1 

consists of sedimentary rocks that predate the oldest Tertiary 

volcanic units associated with extension. These rocks fall into 

regionally extensive formations which have been significantly 

deformed by more recent extension and which everywhere lack 

volcanic material. Unit 2 consists of the oldest Tertiary volcanic 

sequence ranging in age from 27 to 32 Ma. These rocks are 

commonly difficult to differentiate in the field and in thin section and consequently source associations are poorly constrained. No sedimentary rocks associated with unit 2 are 

exposed within the map area. Unit 3 consists of the younger 

sequence of calc-alkaline volcanic rocks and associated sedimentary units ranging in age from 18 to 27 Ma. Unit 4 consists 

of the entire bimodal sequence of volcanic rocks and associated 

sedimentary rocks ranging in age from 5 to 17 Ma. Within the 

Nevada Test Site and Death Valley regions, these units are subdivided into a more detailed stratigraphic sequence representing 

both the Death Valley volcanic field and southwestern Nevada 

volcanic field. Sedimentary rocks of unit 4 are not subdivided 

due to a lack of consistent, regional stratigraphic correlations. 

Felsic-composition lava flows and intrusive rocks are not subdivided due to lack of age data. 

Silicic to Intermediate-composition Volcanic Rocks 

Qa Young intermediate-composition lava flows, undi�

vided (Pleistocene)—Partially reworked, intermediate-composition lava flows, pyroclastic rocks and 

10 Geologic map of the Death Valley ground-water model area, Nevada and California 
interbedded sedimentary rocks exposed in the eastern-most Saline Range and the northern tip of the 

Cottonwood Mountains (Strand, 1967; Burchfiel, 

1969; Streitz and Stinson, 1974) 

Tv Volcanic rocks, undivided (Pliocene to Oligocene)— 

Volcanic rocks whose age and stratigraphic position 

are poorly constrained 

Tr Felsic-composition lava flows, undivided (Pliocene to 

Oligocene)—Mostly resistant, mostly gray, white, 

and tan, rhyolitic lava flows and volcanic domes, 

and subordinate ash-flow and air-fall tuff. Includes 

many rhyolite and lesser trachyte and comendite 

masses, many of them associated with calderas. 

Includes the Oddie Rhyolite of Esmeralda County 

(Albers and Stewart, 1972) 

Ta4 Intermediate-composition lava flows, unit 4 (Pliocene 

and Miocene)—Mostly resistant, intermediatecomposition lava flows, flow breccia, and subordinate volcanic mudflow breccia. Includes the andesite of Sarcobatus Flat west of the Nevada Test Site 

(Slate and others, 2000), 9-12 Ma dacitic rocks in 

Death Valley and the Grapevine Mountains (Wright 

and others, in press), and 5.9-Ma porphyritic latite 

or trachyandesite and rhyolitic to andesitic volcanic 

breccia in Esmeralda County (Albers and Stewart, 

1972). Age range: 5-17 Ma 

Tt4 Ash-flow tuffs and interbedded air-fall tuffs, unit 4 

(Pliocene and Miocene)—Mostly resistant, poorly 

to highly welded, mostly silicic ash-flow tuffs and 

minor air-fall tuff. Includes the peralkaline Kane 

Wash Tuff (14.4-14.7 Ma) and older (15-16 Ma) 

peralkaline tuffs formerly included in the Kane 

Wash Tuff (Scott and others, 1995a). Where not 

mapped separately, includes tuffs of the Timber 

Mountain Group. Includes the upper nonwelded 

ash-flow tuff (6 Ma) and the upper welded ash-flow 

tuff (5.9-6.1 Ma) of Albers and Stewart (1972) in 

Esmeralda County. Age range: 5-17 Ma 

Rocks of the southern Death Valley region 

(Miocene)—Lava flows and tuffs exposed in southern Death Valley and areas to the south and east 

including the Black Mountains, Greenwater Valley, 

Greenwater Range, southern Amargosa Desert, 

southern Panamint Range, Owlshead Mountains, 

Sperry Hills, and northern Kingston Range. These 

rocks are described in detail by Wright and others 

(in press). All dates taken directly from Wright and 

others (in press). Divided into: 

Tvg Greenwater Volcanics—Rhyodacite flows and airfall tuffs exposed in the northern Greenwater 

Range and Black Mountains. Age Range: 5.4-

6.0 Ma 

Tar Intermediate- to felsic-composition lava flows of 

the central Death Valley volcanic field—Andesitic 

to rhyolitic lava flows and interbedded tuffs in the 

Black Mountains, Greenwater Range, and Panamint 

Mountains where unit includes Rhodes Tuff, 

Sheephead Andesite, and Shoshone Volcanics (8-

11.5 Ma). Includes intermediate- to felsic-composition hypabyssal intrusive rocks in Black Mountains 

and Greenwater Range. Also includes dacitic lava 

flows in the southern Black Mountains and southern 

Resting Spring Range. Age range: 8-12 Ma 

Tas Intermediate- to felsic-composition lava flows of 

the southern Death Valley-Kingston Range volca�

nic belt—Basaltic andesite to andesite lava flows 

and associated breccias and pyroclastic deposits in 

the southern Panamint Range, Owlshead Mountains, 

Avawatz Range, and north end of California Valley 

and north and east of the Saddle Peak Hills. Age 

Range: 11-14 Ma 

Rocks of the Nevada Test Site and vicinity 

(Miocene)—Ash-flow tuffs and interbedded air-fall 

tuffs exposed in and near the Nevada Test Site that 

are described in detail by Slate and others (2000). 

All dates taken directly from Slate and others 

(2000). Divided into: 

Tst Stonewall Flat Tuff and tuffs of the Thirsty Canyon Group, undivided—Peralkaline ash-flow tuffs 

and associated rocks. The Stonewall Flat Tuff was 

derived from the Stonewall Mountain caldera at 

about 7.5-7.6 Ma. The Thirsty Canyon Group was 

derived from the Black Mountain caldera at about 

9.15-9.4 Ma 

Tmt Tuffs of the Timber Mountain Group—Metaluminous ash-flow tuffs and associated rocks derived 

from the Timber Mountain caldera complex at 11.4-

11.6 Ma 

Tpt Tuffs of the Paintbrush Group—Metaluminous ashflow tuffs and associated rocks derived from the 

Claim Canyon caldera at 12.7-12.8 Ma. Locally 

includes the Kane Wash Tuff east of the Nevada Test 

Site 

Tw Wahmonie and Salyer Formations, undivided— 

Intermediate-composition lava flows, flow breccia, 

volcanic mudflow breccia, and source intrusions of 

the Wahmonie and Salyer Formations 

Tct Tuffs of the Crater Flat Group—Calc-alkaline ashflow tuffs and associated rocks of 13.1-13.5 Ma 

exposed in, and derived from an unknown caldera, 

perhaps the Silent Canyon caldera complex 

Tbt Tuffs of the Belted Range Group—Peralkaline ashflow tuffs and associated rocks derived from the 

Silent Canyon caldera complex at 13.5-13.85 Ma 

Tlt Lithic Ridge Tuff, rhyolite of Picture Rock, Tunnel 

Formation, and comendite of Quartet Dome, 

undivided—Rhyodacitic, rhyolitic, and comendite 

ash-flow tuff, lava flows, and associated rocks of 

14.0-14.3 Ma. Sources known or inferred to be in or 

near the Nevada Test Site 

Tqv Volcanic rocks of Quartz Mountain—Rhyolite to 

quartz trachyte lava flows, ash-flow tuff, and air-fall 

tuff of 14.2-14.9 Ma derived probably from the 

Mount Helen caldera 

Description of Map Units 11 
Tuv Older ash-flow tuffs and lava sequences, undi�

vided—Peralkaline and rhyolite ash-flow tuff, lava 

flows, and associated rocks of about 14.9-16 Ma. 

Consists of the comendite of Ocher Ridge, Tub 

Spring Tuff, comendite of Emigrant Valley, older 

tunnel beds, tuff of Yucca Flat, Redrock Valley Tuff, 

tuff of Twin Peaks, and volcanic rocks of Gold Flat. 

Comendite units are from local sources but the 

sources of the tuffs are unknown, although some 

could be from the Nevada Test Site 

Tkv Lava flows of the Belted Range—Rhyolite and latite 

lava flow sequences. Consists of the rhyolite of 

Belted Peak, rhyolite of Wheelbarrow Peak, and 

latite of Kawich Valley 

Ta3 Intermediate-composition lava flows, unit 3 (Miocene 

and Oligocene)—Mostly resistant, intermediatecomposition lava flows, flow breccia, and subordinate volcanic mudflow breccia. Includes the Mizpah 

Trachyte (20.4 Ma), the Milltown Andesite (21.5 

Ma), and 20.8-21.6 Ma dacitic rocks and the Chispa 

Andesite in the northern part of the area (Albers and 

Stewart, 1972; Cornwall, 1972; Kleinhampl and 

Ziony, 1985). Age range: 19-26 Ma 

Tt3 Ash-flow tuffs and interbedded air-fall tuffs, unit 3 

(Miocene and Oligocene)—Mostly resistant, 

poorly to highly welded, mostly silicic ash-flow tuffs 

and minor air-fall tuff. Includes the Hiko Tuff (18.2-

18.6 Ma; Rowley and others, 1995), Fraction Tuff 

(18.7-20.5 Ma; Best and others, 1989b), tuff of 

Saulsbury Wash (21.6 Ma; Kleinhampl and Ziony, 

1985), Harmony Hills Tuff (22.0-22.5 Ma; Rowley 

and others, 1995), Pahranagat Formation (22.39 Ma; 

Best and others, 1995), Condor Canyon Formation 

(22.8-23.7 Ma; Rowley and others, 1995), Leach 

Canyon Formation (23.8 Ma; Best and others, 

1989b; Rowley and others, 1994), Bates Mountain 

Tuff (23-24 Ma; Best and others, 1989b), tuff of 

White Blotch Spring (24-25 Ma; Ekren and others, 

1977), tuffs of Antelope Springs (Cornwall, 1972), 

rocks of the Reveille Range (24-25 Ma; Kleinhampl 

and Ziony, 1985), tuff of Kiln Canyon (24-25 Ma 

(Kleinhampl and Ziony, 1985), tuff of the Quinn 

Canyon Range, Kendall Tuff (Albers and Stewart, 

1972), Vindicator Rhyolite (Albers and Stewart, 

1972), tuff of Murphy Gap, tuff of Bald Mountain 

(about 25 Ma; Best and others, 1989b), Shingle Pass 

Tuff (26.0-26.7 Ma; Best and others, 1989b), tuff of 

Hancock Summit (about 26 Ma; Best and others, 

1989b), and Isom Formation (25.7-27.0 Ma; Best 

and others, 1989b; Rowley and others, 1994). Also 

includes poorly dated (but less than 25 Ma) young 

tuffs of the Pancake caldera complex, and poorly 

dated tuffs of the Hannapah and Ellendale mining 

districts, including the tuff of McKinney Tanks and 

the tuff of Hannapah (Kleinhampl and Ziony, 1985). 

Age range: 18-27 Ma 

Ta2 Intermediate-composition lava flows, unit 2 

(Oligocene)—Mostly resistant, intermediatecomposition lava flows, flow breccia, and 

subordinate volcanic mudflow breccia. Age range: 

27-32 Ma 

Tt2 Ash-flow tuffs and interbedded air-fall tuffs, unit 2 

(Oligocene)—Mostly resistant, poorly to highly 

welded, mostly silicic ash-flow tuffs and minor airfall tuff. Includes the Monotony Tuff (27.3 Ma; 

Best and others, 1989b), tuff of the Seaman Range 

(Ekren and others, 1977), Lund Formation (27.9 

Ma), Wah Wah Springs Formation (29.5 Ma), and 

Cottonwood Wash Tuff (30.6 Ma) of the Needles 

Range Group (Best and others, 1989a), tuff of Williams Ridge and Morey Peak (31.3 Ma; Best and 

others, 1989b), Windous Butte Formation (31.4 Ma; 

Best and others, 1989b), and the Stone Cabin Tuff 

(35.4 Ma; Best and others, 1989b). Age range: 27-

32 Ma 

Basaltic Volcanic Rocks 

Qb Young basaltic lava flows (Holocene to Pleistocene)— 

Mostly resistant, basaltic lava flows, flow breccia, 

scoria, and cinder cones 

QTb Basaltic lava flows, undivided (Pleistocene to 

Miocene)—Mapped where age is less certain. 

Includes Malpais Basalt and Rabbit Spring Formation, undivided, of Esmeralda County (Albers and 

Stewart, 1972) and Pliocene? basaltic rocks in the 

Reveille Range (Cornwall, 1972; Kleinhampl and 

Ziony, 1985) 

Tb Old basaltic lava flows (Pliocene to Miocene)— 

Mostly resistant, basaltic lava flows, flow breccia, 

scoria, and cinder cones. Includes the Mira Basalt 

(Albers and Stewart, 1972) 

Intrusive Rocks 

Tgy Young granitic intrusive rocks (Miocene)—Mostly 

resistant silicic intrusions. Includes intrusive rocks 

on Timber Mountain associated with the tuffs of the 

Timber Mountain Group (11.4-11.6 Ma; Slate and 

others, 2000) and rocks in the Death Valley region 

(8.5-12.5 Ma; Wright and others, in press) 

Tai Younger intermediate-composition intrusive rocks 

(Miocene to Oligocene)—Mostly resistant plugs 

and dikes in the Panamint Range and Owlshead 

Mountains, which are correlative with a 12.5 Ma sill 

in the Kingston Range (Wright and others, in press). 

In the central and northern sections of the map area, 

this unit includes exposures associated with caldera 

magmatism and shallow plutonism ranging in age 

from 11-32 Ma (Ekren and others, 1971; Cornwall, 

1972; Ekren and others, 1977; Kleinhampl and 

Ziony, 1985; Slate and others, 2000). Locally 

includes associated extrusive rocks 

12 Geologic map of the Death Valley ground-water model area, Nevada and California 
Tws Gabbro to diorite intrusive rocks of Willow Springs 

(Miocene)—Mostly resistant and mafic intrusion of 

about 11.6 Ma in the Black Mountains associated 

with the Willow Springs pluton (Wright and others, 

in press) 

Tgo Older granitic intrusive rocks (Miocene? to Oli�

gocene)—Mostly resistant silicic intrusions. 

Includes intrusive quartz monzonitic rocks in the 

northern Quinn Canyon Range (26.8 Ma; Kleinhampl and Ziony, 1985) and coarse-grained rhyolite 

porphyry in the Cactus Range which intrudes the 

tuff of White Blotch Spring (Cornwall, 1972) 

TKi Older intermediate-composition intrusive rocks (Oli�

gocene to Cretaceous)—Mostly resistant intrusions 

and dikes whose age is poorly constrained. Includes 

“dacite to gabbro dikes, many too small to show at 

map scale, along the west side of Bare Mountain 

(Slate and others, 2000)” 

TKd Mafic intrusive rocks (Oligocene to Cretaceous)— 

Mostly resistant mafic intrusions and dikes. 

Exposed in the Palmetto and Montezuma ranges of 

Esmeralda County (Albers and Stewart, 1972) 

Tg Oldest granitic intrusive rocks (Tertiary? to Trias�

sic)—Mostly resistant, mostly silicic intrusions and 

dikes. Ages generally decrease eastward across the 

map area from predominantly Jurassic in the western ranges to predominantly Cretaceous in the eastern ranges. Includes exposures along the eastern 

Cottonwood Mountains of known Triassic age 

(McAllister, 1956) 

Jqm Avawatz Mountains quartz monzodiorite, undivided 

(Early Jurassic to Late Triassic)—Coarse-grained 

quartz monzodioritic plutonic rocks underlying 

most of the Avawatz Range, and exposed as fault 

slices near the Garlock fault and in the Slate Range 

and southern Panamint Range. K/Ar and Rb/Sr ages 

fall within the range of 180 to 220 Ma (Wright and 

others, in press) 

Sedimentary and Metamorphic Rocks 

Ts Sedimentary rocks, undivided (Pliocene to 

Eocene)—Poorly to well consolidated fluvial and 

lacustrine sedimentary rocks whose age is poorly 

constrained. Includes the Siebert Tuff in the 

Tonopah area (Albers and Stewart, 1972). Locally 

divided into: 

Ts4 Sedimentary rocks, unit 4 (Pliocene and 

Miocene)—Poorly to moderately consolidated, 

mostly fluvial sandstone, conglomerate, mudstone, 

limestone, and siltstone. The upper part of the unit 

is composed of deposits in local basins that reflect 

the present topography formed during basin-range 

extension. These deposits include unnamed basinfill sediments, the Funeral Formation, the Furnace 

Creek Formation, caldera moat-filling sediments, 

bedded tuff and sedimentary rocks, and sedimentary 

rocks and landslide deposits exposed in and near the 

Nevada Test Site (Slate and others, 2000; Wright 

and others, in press). Includes the sedimentary 

deposits (7-14 Ma) of the Shadow Valley basin 

(Wright and others, in press). In Esmeralda County, 

the upper part of the unit includes the Pozo Formation, deposits that overlie tuff dated at 5.9 Ma, and 

other (4-17 Ma) deposits (Albers and Stewart, 

1972). The lower part of the unit includes prebasin-range deposits filling local basins that predate 

the present topography. On and near the Nevada 

Test Site, these rocks, previously called the rocks of 

Pavits Spring, are of about 11.7-18.3(?) Ma (Slate 

and others, 2000). In Esmeralda County, the lower 

part of the unit contains the Esmeralda Formation. 

Age range: 5-17 Ma 

Tls Landslide and mega-breccia deposits (Miocene to 

Oligocene)—Large, angular blocks of older bedrock ranging in size up to hundreds of meters, commonly retaining original sedimentary bedding, 

contained within a recemented matrix of identical 

lithology. Generally underlain by mappable, gravity-induced faults related to Tertiary extension (Slate 

and others, 2000). Includes masses in the Timpahute Range inferred to post-date 24 Ma (Ekren and 

others, 1977), in the Sheep Range where deposition 

was synchronous with deposition of the Horse 

Springs Formation (Guth, 1981; P. Guth and J. 

Yount, unpublished mapping, 1994), in the Reveille 

Range dated at 18.5-26 Ma (Ekren and other, 1973), 

in the Beatty region dated at 10-12.7 Ma (Slate and 

others, 2000), in the Nevada Test Site region overlying volcanic rocks dated at 13.7 to 15.3 Ma and 

overlain by 11.6 Ma volcanic rocks (Slate and others, 2000), at the northern end of the Spring Mountains dated at 12.7-13.7 Ma (Slate and others, 2000), 

and in the Blue Diamond area where the age is 

unknown (Page and others, in press). Unit is everywhere assumed to be older than 10 Ma 

Tso Sedimentary rocks older than the rocks of the 

Nevada Test Site and vicinity (Miocene to 

Eocene?)—Moderately consolidated, fluvial and 

lacustrine sandstone, conglomerate, limestone, 

mudstone, and siltstone whose age is poorly constrained. Includes conglomerate with interbedded 

lacustrine limestone, siltstone, sandstone and a 30.2 

Ma air-fall tuff (Barnes and others, 1982), formerly 

called the rocks of Winapi Wash on the northern side 

of the Spotted Range. Includes the upper tuffaceous 

sandstone and lower conglomerate of the Titus Canyon Formation along the north side of the Funeral 

and Grapevine Mountains (Slate and others, 2000). 

Also includes a small exposure north of Yucca Flat 

composed of locally derived clasts of the Eleana 

Formation which separates the Paleozoic basement 

rock from overlying Tertiary volcanic units beneath 

Description of Map Units 13 
much of the northern end of Yucca Flat as interpreted from drill-hole data (J. Cole, oral communication, 2001) 

Ts3 Sedimentary rocks, unit 3 (Miocene and Oli�

gocene)—Moderately to well consolidated, fluvial 

and lacustrine sandstone, limestone, conglomerate, 

and mudstone. Deposited in basins that formed 

before the present topography was developed. 

Includes the Sandstorm Formation of Esmeralda 

County (Albers and Stewart, 1972), the Horse 

Spring Formation in the southern Las Vegas Range 

(Page and others, in press), and deposits younger 

than the Titus Canyon Formation in Death Valley 

National Park (Wright and others, in press). Age 

range: 18-26 Ma 

Ts1 Sedimentary rocks, unit 1 (Eocene and Pale�

ocene)—Coarse, predominantly conglomeratic sedimentary rocks which pre-date Tertiary volcanic 

activity based on a lack of volcanic clasts and 

stratigraphic relationships. Includes the Sheep 

Pass Formation in Lincoln County (Tschanz and 

Pampeyan, 1970; Ekren and others, 1977) and the 

fanglomerate of Ekren and others (1971) in the 

Mount Helen area 

sv Sedimentary and volcanic rocks, undivided (Meso�

zoic)—Exposed throughout the southwestern part of 

the map area including the southern Inyo Mountains, 

Slate Range, southern Panamint Range, and Avawatz 

Mountains. This unit is locally metamorphosed and 

includes interbedded sedimentary and volcanic 

rocks (Wright and others, in press). Includes the 

Butte Valley Formation in the southern Panamint 

Mountains which is age-equivalent to the Moenkopi 

Formation in the eastern part of the map area 

(Johnson, 1957) 

Klw Lavinia Wash sequence (Upper and Lower Creta�

ceous)—Heterogeneous synorogenic sequence of 

interbedded conglomerate, sandstone, and mudstone 

defined by Carr (1980) in exposure in the Goodsprings mining district. Underlain by an inferred 

unconformity (Carr and Pinkston, 1987). Unit originally assigned Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous(?) 

age based on conventional K-Ar dates of volcanic 

rocks within unit, but new laser fusion 40Ar/39Ar 

methods yielded a late Early Cretaceous age 

(99.0+0.4 Ma) (Fleck and Carr, 1990; Fleck and others, 1994); this date constrains the maximum age of 

movement on the Keystone thrust in the eastern 

Spring Mountains. Unit from 5 to 20 m thick 

Ja Aztec Sandstone (Jurassic)—Exposed in eastern 

Spring Mountains. Tan and red quartz sandstone. 

Conspicuous 5-10-meter scale cross-bedding. Unit 

is truncated by the Keystone thrust fault. Thickness 

ranges from 650 to 800 meters (Longwell and others, 1965; Page and others, in press) 

c Chinle Formation (Upper Triassic)—Exposed in eastern Spring Mountains. Interbedded sandstone, siltstone, shale, and minor conglomerate and limestone 

beds. Gypsum locally in discontinuous beds and 

irregular lenses. Base of formation is Shinarump 

Member, composed of conglomerate with distinctive 

reddish-brown and yellowish-brown chert clasts, and 

minor carbonate clasts. Unit conformably underlies 

Aztec Sandstone (Ja) and unconformably overlies 

Moenkopi Formation (Longwell and others, 1965; 

Stewart, 1980; Page and others, in press). Unit is 180 

m thick 

m Moenkopi Formation (Middle? and Lower Trias�

sic)—Exposed in eastern Spring Mountains. In 

descending order, unit includes upper red member, 

Virgin Limestone Member, lower red member, and 

Timpoweap Member. Upper red member (Burchfiel 

and others, 1974) consists of claystone, mudstone, 

dolomite, limestone, siltstone, shale, and some gypsum. Virgin Limestone Member consists of bioclastic limestone, sandy limestone, dolomite, calcareous 

sandstone, and siltstone; fossils include brachiopods, gastropods, pelecypods, and pelmatozoan 

fragments; limestone locally contains ooids. Lower 

red member consists of siltstone, sandstone, shale, 

and minor dolomitic limestone, silty limestone, and 

gypsiferous siltstone beds. Timpoweap Member 

marks base of formation and is limestone and chertclast conglomerate with minor pebbly carbonate 

and calcareous sandstone beds; grades upward into 

lower redbed sequence. Unit is 585 m thick (Page 

and others, in press) 

Pzu Sedimentary rocks, undivided (Paleozoic)—Unit 

mapped in Cottonwood Mountains, Hunter Mountain area, Grapevine Mountains north of Scotty’s 

Castle, and the Reveille Range. Consists of undivided marine sedimentary rocks (Jennings, 1961; 

Jennings and others, 1962; Strand, 1967; Cornwall, 

1972; Streitz and Stinson, 1974) 

Pkt Kaibab and Toroweap Formations, undivided 

(Lower Permian)—Exposed in eastern Spring 

Mountains. Harrisburg and Fossil Mountain Members of the Kaibab Formation are recognized (Carr, 

1992; Carr and McDonnell-Canan, 1992). Harrisburg Member is micritic limestone and dolomite, 

bedded gypsum, and some red shale and claystone; 

pectinoid valves and pelmatozoan ossicles 

observed; common chert in nodules and layers. 

Fossil Mountain Member is thick-bedded fossiliferous limestone and dolomitic limestone with brownweathering chert layers and nodules; includes brachiopods, bryozoans, and pelmatozoan columnals. 

Woods Ranch, Brady Canyon, and Seligman Members of the Toroweap are recognized (Carr, 1992; 

Carr and McDonnell-Canan, 1992); Woods Ranch 

Member is shale, dolomite, siltstone, and some gypsum. Brady Canyon Member is limestone and dolomitic limestone with common chert nodules and 

layers. Seligman Member is siltstone, sandstone, 

and gypsum; some dolomite and dolomitic sandstone in upper part. Unit forms ledgy to massive 

14 Geologic map of the Death Valley ground-water model area, Nevada and California 
cliffs and is overlain unconformably by Timpoweap 

Member of the Moenkopi Formation; in places, unit 

is completely removed along this unconformity, and 

Timpoweap Member rests directly on Permian redbeds. Combined thickness of the two formations is 

0-300 m in the eastern Spring Mountains (Page and 

others, in press) 

Pr Redbeds (Lower Permian)—Exposed in eastern 

Spring Mountains. Consists of sandstone and some 

interbedded shale and siltstone; locally gypsiferous. Conformably overlies the Bird Spring Formation; contact with overlying Toroweap Formation is 

sharp and disconformable. Unit forms ledgy slope 

and is about 580 m thick (Longwell and others, 

1965; Carr and Pinkston, 1987; Page and others, in 

press) 

Pov Owens Valley Group (Lower Permian)—Exposures in 

the Dry Mountain area consist of the Lone Pine Formation, composed of thin-bedded calcereous mudstone, shale, and siltstone. Exposures in the 

Cottonwood Mountains and Panamint Range consist 

of the Darwin Canyon Formation, composed of 

well-bedded very fine grained sandstone, calcarenite 

sandstone, and subordinate calcarenitic, bioclastic 

limestone, and limestone conglomerate underlain by 

the Osborne Canyon Formation, composed of calcereous mudstone, bioclastic limestone, limestone 

conglomerate, and subordinate calcareous siltstone 

(Burchfiel, 1969; Stone, 1984; Stone and Stevens, 

1987; Stone and others, 1987). The Osborne Canyon Formation and underlying Tihvipah Limestone 

have been incorrectly mapped as the Keeler Canyon 

Formation by Streitz and Stinson (1974) within the 

map area (Stone and others, 1987). Hall (1971) 

reported 730 m of unit exposed in Panamint Range 

area but Stone (1984) remapped much of this unit as 

Bird Spring Formation, and Burchfiel (1969) 

reported 180 m of the unit in the Dry Mountain area. 

PSu Sedimentary rocks, undivided (Permian to Sil�

urian)—Exposed in southwestern part of map area. 

In Grapevine Mountains, Awawatz Mountains, and 

Slate Range consists of rocks correlative with parts 

of the Owens Valley Group, Keeler Canyon Formation, Perdido Group, Tin Mountain Limestone, Lost 

Burro Formation, and Hidden Valley Dolomite from 

top to bottom. In Funeral Mountains and northern 

Panamint Range consists of rocks correlative with 

parts of the Owens Valley Group, Bird Spring Formation, Indian Springs Formation, Santa Rosa Hills 

Limestone, Stone Canyon Limestone, Tin Mountain 

Limestone, Lost Burro Formation, and Hidden Valley Dolomite from top to bottom. About 2,370 m 

thick 

PMb Bird Spring (Lower Permian and Pennsylvanian) 

and Indian Springs Formations (Upper Missis�

sippian)—Exposed in eastern part of the map area 

in the Spring Mountains, Las Vegas Range, Sheep 

Range, Pahranagat Range, and Timpahute Range 

and in the western part of the map area in the Cottonwood Mountains and Panamint Range (included 

in PSu in this area). Bird Spring Formation consists of limestone, silty limestone, dolomite, chert, 

quartzite, siltstone, and shale. Common layers and 

nodules of brown-weathering chert. Contains abundant macrofossils including brachiopods, ostracods, 

colonial and solitary corals, bryozoans, sponges, 

pelmatozoan fragments, and fusulinids. In Las 

Vegas Range, Sheep Range, and part of the Spring 

Mountains, unit includes a distinctive carbonate 

slope to basin marker unit with submarine debrisflow conglomerates—marker unit is about 1,000 m 

above the base of the formation in the region. The 

underlying Indian Springs Formation of Webster 

and Lane (1967) consists of interbedded limestone, 

shale, and quartzite (Page and others, in press). Unit 

is from 1,300 to 2,355 m thick in the Spring Mountains; maximum thickness of 2,500 m in the Las 

Vegas Range; top not exposed (Page and others, in 

press) 

Pt Tippipah Limestone (Lower Permian and Pennsylva�

nian)—Exposed in Nevada Test Site area. Consists 

of thin-bedded, fossiliferous limestone with chert 

nodules, calcareous siltstone to sandstone, and 

minor chert-pebble conglomerate, sandy limestone, 

and quartz sandstone. The clastic component 

increases up section. Top of unit unconformably 

overlain by younger Mesozoic and Cenozoic units. 

Unit unconformably overlies the Scotty Wash 

Quartzite (mapped as Msc) which is completely 

removed in some locations. Correlative with part of 

the Bird Spring Formation (PMb). Maximum 

thickness about 1,250 m (Tschanz and Pampeyan, 

1970; Kleinhampl and Ziony, 1985; Slate and others, 2000) 

Pkc Keeler Canyon Formation (Lower Permian to Mid�

dle Pennsylvanian)—Exposed in the Dry Mountain 

area. Composed of silty, bioclastic limestone and 

siltstone and a basal micritic limestone with abundant chert nodules; fossils include fusulinids, pelmatozoans, bryozoans, and brachiopods. Unit is 

differentiated from the partly age-equivalent Bird 

Spring Formation by an abundance of turbidite 

facies. Conformably overlain by the Lone Pine Formation and conformably underlain by the Rest 

Spring Shale. (Ross, 1967; Streitz and Stinson, 

1974; Stone and Stevens, 1987). Unit 1,164 m thick 

in Dry Mountain area (Burchfiel, 1969) 

Mu Sedimentary rocks, undivided (Upper and Lower 

Mississippian)—Mapped mostly in Cottonwood 

Mountains and Last Chance Range, Inyo County, 

California, and also in the Spotted Range, Lincoln 

and Clark Counties, Nevada. In Spotted Range, 

includes, from top to base, Indian Springs Formation of Webster and Lane (1967), Limestone of 

Timpi Canyon, Mercury Limestone, and Narrow 

Canyon Limestone (Poole and others, 1961; Stevens 

Description of Map Units 15 
and others, 1996). Lower Mississippian rocks are 

correlative with parts of the Monte Cristo Group and 

Joana Limestone. Indian Springs Formation is 

mostly of variegated shale, but also has bioclastic 

limestone and quartzite beds; fossils include the 

biostratigraphically diagnostic Chesterian brachiopod Rhipidomella nevadensis. Limestone of Timpi 

Canyon, and the Mercury and Narrow Canyon 

Limestones, consist of limestone and dolomite, silty 

limestone, sandstone and quartzite, and shale; fossils 

include gastropods, pelmatozoan fragments, and 

brachiopods. Unit about 230 m thick (Longwell and 

others, 1965; Stevens and others, 1996). 

Exposures in the Cottonwood Mountains are 

equivalent to the Monte Cristo Group as described 

below (Stone, 1984). In the Last Chance Range, 

unit includes Rest Spring Shale, Kearsarge Formation, Perdido Group, and Tin Mountain Limestone. 

Rest Spring Shale is thin-bedded, micritic limestone 

and black fissile shale; limestone is bioclastic and 

phosphatic (Stevens and others, 1996). Mexican 

Spring Formation of Perdido Group is mostly siltstone and conglomerate; siltstone is bioturbated and 

contains turbidite beds with graded bioclasts (brachiopods, gastropods, foraminifera); the underlying 

Leaning Rock Formation is thin-bedded, micritic, 

argillaceous limestone, and minor mudstone and 

conglomerate. Tin Mountain Limestone is limestone with distinctive pale-reddish-purple partings. 

Entire assemblage is 400 m thick in the Dry Mountain area of the Cottonwood Mountains (Burchfiel, 

1969), about 140 m thick in the Panamint Range 

(Hall, 1971), and as great as 420 m thick in the 

Quartz Spring area, Inyo County (Stevens and 

others, 1996) 

Msc Scotty Wash Quartzite (Upper Mississippian) and 

Chainman Shale (Upper and Lower Mississip�

pian), undivided—Exposed in the Timpahute 

Range, Pahranagat Range, and eastern Nevada Test 

Site area (Syncline Ridge, CP Hills, and Calico 

Hills). Scotty Wash Quartzite consists of tabular to 

lensoidal quartzite beds and fossiliferous limestone. Chainman Shale is black pyritic shale with 

sparse siltstone partings interbedded with thicker 

siltstone, sandstone, and bioclastic limestone beds. 

Forms strike valleys. East of the Nevada Test Site 

area, unit is poorly exposed, and thickness is estimated at more than 1,200 m (Trexler and others, 

1996); unit is about 300 m thick in the Spotted and 

Pahranagat Ranges (Tschanz and Pampeyan, 1970) 

Mm Monte Cristo Group (Upper and Lower Mississip�

pian)—Exposed in the Nopah Range, Montgomery 

Mountains, Spring Mountains, southern Las Vegas 

Range, southern Sheep Range, and in the Indian 

Springs area, south of U.S. Highway 95. Includes 

following formations, from top to base: Yellowpine 

Limestone, Bullion Limestone, Anchor Limestone, 

and Dawn Limestone. Formations consist of 

bioclastic limestone with pelmatozoan fragments, 

solitary and colonial corals, and brachiopods, and 

minor dolomite and chert beds. Yellowpine contains unusually large solitary rugose corals; also 

contains Lithostrotionella colonial corals, and pelmatozoan ossicles. Encrinitic limestone (grainstone 

to wackestone) typifies the Bullion Limestone. 

Anchor Limestone consists of alternating thin-bedded limestone and chert beds. Dawn Limestone is 

abundantly fossiliferous and has common darkbrown-weathering chert beds. Unit is from 300 to 

480 m thick (Burchfiel and others, 1983a, b; Page 

and others, in press) 

MDe Eleana Formation (Mississippian and Upper Devo

nian)—Exposed in Nevada Test Site area. 

Described by Poole and others (1961); reinterpreted 

by Trexler and others (1996). Sandstone, pebble 

conglomerate, siliceous siltstone, and minor bioclastic limestone and bedded chert. Unit varies laterally and vertically and was deposited in deepwater turbiditic trough and submarine fan depositional environments. Upper 150 m consists of interbedded bioclastic limestone and chert-litharenite 

sandstone. Middle 1,700 m consists of chert-litharenite sandstone, conglomerate, and siltstone. 

Lower 170 m consists of debris-flow conglomerate 

deposits, silty and sandy limestone, and quartzite. 

Top of unit is everywhere truncated by the Belted 

Range thrust (Cole and Cashman, 1999). Unit maximum thickness is 2,040 m 

Mj Joana Limestone (Lower Mississippian)—Exposed in 

northeastern part of map area in the Pahranagat and 

Timpahute Ranges. Limestone with interbedded 

silty limestone, shale, and chert; upper part weathers to lighter shades of gray and contains more chert 

and shale beds; lower part generally forms massive 

limestone cliffs; abundant pelmatozoan fragments 

and corals (Tschanz and Pampeyan, 1970). Correlative with lower part of Monte Cristo Group (Mm), 

and lower part of Mississippian undivided unit 

(Mu). About 200 to 300 m thick 

MDu Sedimentary rocks, undivided (Lower Mississippian 

and Upper and Middle Devonian)—Exposed in 

eastern part of the map area in Lincoln and Clark 

Counties and parts of eastern Nye County. In Keystone thrust plate (eastern Spring Mountains) 

includes the Sultan Limestone. In western thrust 

plates of Spring Mountains and majority of Lincoln 

and Clark Counties, includes Guilmette Formation 

and either the Crystal Pass Member of the Sulton 

Limestone or the Pilot Shale to the south or north of 

the Las Vegas Valley shear zone, respectively. Unit 

is partly correlative with the Devils Gate Limestone 

as mapped by Burchfiel (1965) and Burchfiel and 

others (1974; 1983a, b) in the Specter Range, 

Spring Mountains, Montgomery Mountains, and 

Nopah and Resting Spring Ranges. Guilmette Formation is dolomite, limestone, and dolomitic 

16 Geologic map of the Death Valley ground-water model area, Nevada and California 
quartzite. Limestone and dolomite in upper part of 

the formation are generally micritic, and beds are 

cyclic, laminated, and burrow mottled. Dolomitic 

quartzite beds are in upper part of formation. 

Middle part of formation is mostly cliff-forming 

dolomite with abundant stromatoporoid biostromes 

and patch reefs; also contains Amphipora sp., gastropods, and brachiopods. Lower part of formation 

forms ledgy slope beneath cliff-forming dolomite 

and contains thin-bedded limestone with stromatoporoids alternating with yellowish-gray weathering 

dolomicrite. Lower part is “yellow bed” of Guilmette (Tschanz and Pampeyan, 1970) which marks 

the base of the formation in much of eastern 

Nevada. Map unit is 380-520 m thick in the Spring 

Mountains, 630 m thick in the southern Sheep 

Range, 730-990 m thick in the Pahranagat Range, 

670-750 m thick in the Spotted and Desert Ranges, 

and 350 m thick in the Nevada Test Site area (Slate 

and others, 2000). Sultan Limestone (Hewett, 1931) 

consists, from top to base, of the Crystal Pass, Valentine, and Ironside Members. Crystal Pass Member is partly Mississippian and is light-grayweathering micritic limestone (Page and others, in 

press). Valentine and Ironside Members are thin- to 

thick-bedded limestone and dolomite with silicified 

stromatoporoids. Sultan Limestone is 175-200 m 

thick (Page and others, in press) 

Dlb Lost Burro Formation (Upper and Middle Devo

nian)—Exposed in Cottonwood Mountains and 

Panamint Range. Uppermost 10 m of unit includes 

calcareous, laminated to thin-bedded sandstone and 

sandy dolomite (Quartz Spring Sandstone Member). Remainder of unit consists of dolomite and 

limestone, sandy dolomite, quartzite and sandstone 

beds; dolomite and limestone beds contain 

Amphipora sp. and silicified stromatoporoids. 

Includes quartzitic basal Lippincott Member. 

Included within map unit PSu in Panamint Range 

and southeastern Funeral Mountains. Correlative 

with parts of the Guilmette Formation and Sultan 

Limestone. Unit about 500 m thick in the Dry 

Mountain area (Burchfiel, 1969) and 457 m thick in 

the Panamint Range (Hall, 1971) 

Dd Dolomite and limestone, undifferentiated (Devonian 

to Upper Cambrian)—Exposed only in northern 

Nye County, in the Reveille and Quinn Canyon 

Ranges. Includes, from top to base, rocks correlative with parts of the Guilmette Formation, Simonson Dolomite, Sevy Dolomite, Laketown Dolomite, 

Ely Springs Dolomite, Eureka Quartzite, and 

Pogonip Group; thickness unknown 

Dsf Slope-facies carbonate rocks (Upper to Lower Devo

nian)—Exposed at Bare Mountain, Calico Hills, 

Ranier Mesa, and Carbonate Wash areas of Nevada 

Test Site. Unit consists of limestone, dolomite, and 

silty carbonate rocks. Contains submarine debrisflow conglomerate; clasts composed of quartzite, 

limestone, dolomite, and chert. Maximum thickness 

is 300 m (Slate and others, 2000) 

Ds Simonson Dolomite (Middle Devonian)—Exposed in 

eastern part of the map area in Lincoln, Clark, and 

parts of Nye Counties. Includes mostly finely 

crystalline dolomite; contains abundant stromatoporoids and Amphipora sp.; in some locations 

(northwestern Spring Mountains, Pahranagat 

Range), upper beds of the Simonson contain the 

Givetian brachiopod Strigocephalus sp. In much 

of Lincoln and Clark Counties, base of formation 

is marked by distinctive quartzite unit which 

unconformably overlies the Sevy Dolomite. Unit 

is partly correlative with the Nevada Formation as 

mapped by Burchfiel and others (1974) in the 

Spring Mountains, and Burchfiel and others 

(1983a, b) in the Montgomery Mountains and 

Nopah Range. Unit is 120 m thick in northwest 

Spring Mountains, 190 m thick in the southern 

Sheep Range, 365 m thick in the Pahranagat 

Range, and 300 m thick in the Nevada Test Site 

area (Slate and others, 2000) 

DSu Sedimentary rocks, undivided (Devonian and Sil�

urian)—Mapped in Lee Canyon and Deer Creek 

thrust plates, central Spring Mountains (Page and 

others, in press). Unit includes strata below basal 

yellow-bed sequence of Guilmette Formation 

(Devonian) and above Ely Springs Dolomite (Upper 

Ordovician). These rocks are equivalent with parts 

of the Simonson Dolomite, Sevy Dolomite, and 

Laketown Dolomite. Unit is 60-80 m thick 

Dm Mountain Springs Formation (Middle Devonian, 

Lower Ordovician, and Upper Cambrian)— 

Mapped only in eastern Spring Mountains. Defined 

by Gans (1974) and subsequently modified by 

Miller and Zilinsky (1981) and Page and others (in 

press). Subdivided into three informal members 

from top to base (Page and others, in press): upper 

member restricted to Middle Devonian strata equivalent to part of the Simonson Dolomite, and consists 

of cycles of finely to coarsely saccharoidal dolomite 

and dolomudstone with scattered rip-up clasts. 

Contains pentamerid brachiopods, stromatoporoids, 

and more rarely, bryozoan, coral, and pelmatozoan 

fragments. Middle member is early Late Ordovician age, is equivalent to part of the Ely Springs 

Dolomite, and is burrow-mottled, bioclastic dolopackstone. Lower member is Early Ordovician in 

age and equivalent to part of the Pogonip Group. 

Member is burrowed, dolomitized wackestone, 

packstone, and mudstone, and contains gastropods 

(Palliseria sp. and Maclurities sp.) and sponges 

(Recptaculites sp.). Unit is 295 m thick 

Du Mountain Springs (Middle Devonian, Lower Ordovi�

cian, and Upper Cambrian) and Nopah Forma�

tions (Upper Cambrian), undivided—Mapped 

only in eastern Spring Mountains in southeastern 

part of area. Unit is about 600 m thick 

Description of Map Units 17 
DSsl Sevy (Middle and Lower Devonian) and Laketown 

(Upper and Middle Silurian) Dolomites, undi�

vided—In most parts of Lincoln and Clark Counties 

(Desert, Pintwater, Sheep, Spotted, Pahranagat and 

Timpahute ranges, and Worthington Mountains), 

Sevy Dolomite is cliff-forming, light-gray, aphanitic 

dolomite containing thin beds of cross-bedded sandy 

dolomite and dolomitic quartzite; lacks macrofossils; top of Sevy marked by cherty argillaceous unit 

composed of siltstone and cherty aphanitic dolomite; this unit was originally defined as an informal 

member of the Sevy Dolomite (Osmond, 1962), but 

was later redefined as a separate map unit (Johnson 

and others, 1989); overlain unconformably by Simonson Dolomite. Combined Sevy Dolomite and 

cherty argillaceous unit is 275 m thick in the Nevada 

Test Site area (Slate and others, 2000), and its maximum thickness is nearly 500 m in the Pahranagat 

Range (Reso, 1963). 

Laketown Dolomite underlies Sevy Dolomite 

in Lincoln and Clark Counties where it displays typical tri-part character widely recognized in the eastern Great Basin—upper dark, middle light, and 

lower dark dolomite parts. Upper dark part is 

mostly finely saccharoidal dolomite containing brachiopods, halysitid corals, and pelmatozoan ossicles. 

Middle part is massive dolomite that contains silicified pentamerid brachiopods. Lower part is saccharoidal dolomite with brachiopods, corals, 

pelmatozoan ossicles, and stromatoporoids; also 

contains beds and nodules of dark-brown-weathering chert. Laketown Dolomite unconformably overlies Ely Springs Dolomite. The Laketown Dolomite 

is 250 m thick in the Nevada Test Site area, and 

reaches a maximum thickness of 285 m in the 

Pahranagat Range 

DSlm Lone Mountain Dolomite (Lower Devonian and Sil�

urian)—Exposed only at Bare Mountain. Fine- to 

medium-crystalline dolomite; pelmatozoan fragments are common. Contact with underlying Roberts Mountain Formation gradational. Unit is about 

490 m thick (Cornwall and Kleinhampl, 1961) 

DShv Hidden Valley Dolomite (Lower Devonian and Sil�

urian)—Mapped in the Cottonwood and Funeral 

Mountains; included with unit PSu in the Nopah 

and Panamint Ranges and Montgomery Mountains. 

Consists mostly of massive dolomite, but includes 

minor quartzite beds and brown-weathering chert at 

base in the Panamint Range area (Hall, 1971). Generally lacks macrofossils but age equivalent with 

parts of the Sevy and Laketown Dolomites based on 

fossils collected by McAllister (1952). Contact with 

underlying Ely Springs Dolomite is gradational. 

Unit is 440-460 m thick in southeastern Funeral 

Mountains (McAllister, 1974) and in the Dry Mountain area (Burchfiel, 1969), about 120 m thick in 

Panamint Range, and about 100 m thick in the 

Nopah Range (Burchfiel and others, 1983a, b) 

Sr Roberts Mountains Formation (Silurian)—Exposed 

only at Bare Mountain. Dolomite and limestone, 

and minor interbedded silty and sandy dolomite, 

dolomite pebble-conglomerate, and dark-brownweathering chert nodules and layers. Contains brachiopods, corals, graptolites, and conodonts of Late 

to Early Silurian age (Slate and others, 2000). Contact with underlying Ely Springs Dolomite is disconformity. Unit is 200 m thick (Monsen and 

others, 1992) 

Opa Palmetto Formation (Upper, Middle, and Lower 

Ordovician)—Exposed in western part of map 

area in Palmetto Mountains, Magruder Mountain, 

and Silver Peak Range. Mostly shale and siltstone, but also includes thin-bedded chert, limestone, and quartzite; quartzite beds are more 

common in lower part. Rocks are commonly 

metamorphosed to hornfels. Shale contains Middle Ordovician graptolites (Albers and Stewart, 

1972; McKee, 1985). Collections by Albers and 

Stewart (1972) from the southern Silver Peak 

Range yielded Late Ordovician fossils and from 

the Goldfield area yielded Early Ordovician fossils. Unit is deep-water facies (eugeosynclinal) 

and interpreted as allochthonous with respect to the 

Roberts Mountain thrust (Albers and Stewart, 

1972; McKee, 1985); upper and lower unit contacts are nearly everywhere represented by faults; 

maximum thickness estimated at about 600 m 

Ou Sedimentary rocks, undivided (Ordovician and 

Upper Cambrian)—Mapped in southern part of 

area in Nopah Range, Montgomery Mountains, 

Panamint Range, Grapevine and Funeral Mountains, Cottonwood Mountains, and Last Chance 

Range. Includes parts of the Ely Springs Dolomite, 

Eureka Quartzite, and Pogonip Group. Unit is 

about 720 m thick in the Dry Mountain area (Burchfiel, 1969) and in the Panamint Range area (Hall, 

1971), and about 610 m thick in the Nopah Range 

(Burchfiel and others, 1983a, b) 

Oee Ely Springs Dolomite (Upper Ordovician) and 

Eureka Quartzite (Upper and Middle 

Ordovician), undivided 

Oes Ely Springs Dolomite (Upper Ordovician)—Widely 

exposed in map area. Upper 20-25 m consists of 

slope-forming, finely crystalline dolomite with 

sparse pelmatozoan fragments. Most of the Ely 

Springs (lower two thirds to three quarters) is cliffforming, burrow-mottled, irregularly thin- to thickbedded dolomite with common planar laminations; 

includes nodules and lenses of dark-gray to darkbrown chert. Fossils include brachiopods, colonial 

(Halysites sp. and favositids) and solitary corals, 

gastropods, pelmatozoan ossicles, and stromatoporoids. Lower contact with Eureka Quartzite is disconformity; upper contact with Laketown Dolomite 

(Silurian) in eastern part of map area is disconformable; in western part of map area, upper contact 

18 Geologic map of the Death Valley ground-water model area, Nevada and California 
with Hidden Valley Dolomite is gradational and 

conformable (Hall, 1971). Unit is 50-200 m thick 

Oe Eureka Quartzite (Upper and Middle Ordovician)— 

Widely exposed in map area. Consists of fine- to 

medium-grained orthoquartzite and sandstone. 

Beds contain tabular-planar and trough crossbed 

sets and Skolithos burrows. At some locations, as in 

the Spring Mountains, has sandy carbonate beds and 

collophane nodules (Ross, 1964), and in Panamint 

Range area, lower part contains silty and sandy 

dolomite, argillaceous quartzite, and minor shale. 

Unit is 6-150 m thick 

Opn Pogonip Group (Middle and Lower Ordovician and 

Upper Cambrian) and Nopah Formation (Upper 

Cambrian), undivided—Mapped in parts of the 

Nopah Range, Spring Mountains, Quinn Canyon 

Range, and southernmost Monitor Range 

Op Pogonip Group (Middle and Lower Ordovician and 

Upper Cambrian)—Widely exposed across map 

area. Consists of (from top to base) the Antelope 

Valley Limestone, Ninemile Formation, and the 

Goodwin Limestone (Byers and Barnes, 1967; 

Ross, 1964). Antelope Valley Limestone is finely to 

coarsely crystalline limestone and silty limestone; 

beds are commonly burrowed and have yellowishorange to pale-red tracks and trails on bedding 

planes; contains orthocone cephalopods, gastropods 

(Maclurites sp. and Palliseria sp.), pelmatozoans, 

Receptaculites sp., and trilobites; also contains 

ooids and oncoids. Ninemile Formation is shaly 

siltstone, silty limestone, and dolomite. Goodwin 

Limestone is limestone and dolomite with darkbrown-weathering chert layers and distinctive intraclastic conglomerate; contains trilobite and brachiopod fragments and sparse ooids. Base of Goodwin 

contains Late Cambrian conodonts in the Spring 

Mountains and southern Sheep Range (Page and 

others, in press). Ninemile Formation is absent in 

most locations in the eastern part of the map area 

(Lincoln and Clark Counties). Group is about 410 

m thick in the Dry Mountain area (Burchfiel, 1969), 

384 m thick in the Panamint Range (Hall, 1971), 

320 m thick in Nopah Range (Burchfiel and others, 

1983a, b), 360-700 m thick in the Spring Mountains 

and southern Sheep Range, (Page and others, in 

press), 957 m thick in the Pahranagat Range 

(Tschanz and Pampeyan, 1970), and 1,050 m thick 

in Nevada Test Site area (Slate and others, 2000) 

e Emigrant Formation (Upper and Middle Cam�

brian)—Exposed in Esmeralda County, Goldfield 

Hills, Palmetto Mountains, Clayton Valley, and 

Montezuma Range areas. Consists of an upper 

limestone and siltstone member, a middle shale 

member, and lower limestone and chert member. 

Upper member is interbedded limestone and siltstone; contains sponge spicules and phosphatic brachiopod shells. Middle shale member is olive-gray 

to greenish-gray shale. Lower member is 

interbedded limestone and laminated chert, and 

some intraclastic conglomerate; trilobites common 

in Magruder Mountain area (McKee, 1985). Unit is 

1,524-1,828 m thick (Albers and Stewart, 1972) 

u Sedimentary rocks, undivided (Upper to Lower 

Cambrian)—Mapped in the Last Chance Range 

and Cottonwood Mountains. In Last Chance Range, 

northwest of the Cucomongo fault, includes rocks 

equivalent with parts of the Emigrant, Mule Spring, 

Harkless, Poleta, and Campito Formations. 

Southeast of the Cucomongo fault in the Last 

Chance Range and Cottonwood Mountains, 

includes rocks equivalent with parts of the Nopah, 

Bonanza King, Carrara, Zabriskie, and Wood Canyon Formations (McKee, 1985) 

nb Nopah (Upper Cambrian) and Bonanza King For

mations (Upper and Middle Cambrian), undi�

vided—Mapped in the west-central Pintwater 

Range; thickness unknown 

n Nopah Formation (Upper Cambrian)—Widely 

exposed in map area. In central part of the map area 

unit includes, from top to base, Smoky, Halfpint, 

and Dunderberg Shale Members. Smoky and Halfpint Members consist of alternating light- to darkgray cliff-forming dolomite that gives these rocks a 

banded appearance; members contain common stromatolites, oncoids, and brachiopod fragments, and 

less common pelmatozoan fragments. Dunderberg 

Shale Member consists of thin-bedded silty limestone, shale, and some siltstone; Dunderbergia sp. 

trilobite fragments are common. Formation is about 

345-380 m thick in the Spring Mountains and southern Sheep Range (Page and others, in press), 365 m 

thick in the northern Last Chance Range (McKee, 

1985), 457 m thick in the Panamint Range area 

(Hall, 1971), about 530 m thick in the Nopah Range 

and in the Cottonwood Mountains (Burchfiel and 

others, 1983a, b; Burchfiel, 1969), 766 m thick in 

the Pahranagat Range (Reso, 1963), and 720 m thick 

in the Nevada Test Site area (Slate and others, 2000) 

nbc Nopah (Upper Cambrian), Bonanza King (Upper 

and Middle Cambrian), and Carrara Formations 

(Middle and Lower Cambrian), undivided— 

Mapped in the Quinn Canyon, Nopah, Kingston, 

Resting Springs, Montgomery, Greenwater, Panamint, Funeral, and Grapevine ranges 

b Bonanza King Formation (Upper and Middle Cam�

brian)—Banded Mountain and Papoose Lake 

Members recognizable in most parts of the map 

area. Partly correlative with the Highland Peak Formation in Lincoln County (Tschanz and Pampeyan, 

1970). Banded Mountain Member is fine- to 

medium crystalline dolomite and limestone; alternating light- to dark-gray colors of beds give the 

member a distinctive banded appearance. Orange 

burrow mottling is prevalent, and several layers have 

dark-brown-weathering chert beds and nodules. 

Base of the member is marked by the regionally 

Description of Map Units 19 
extensive “silty unit” (Barnes and Palmer, 1961; 

Guth, 1980; Gans, 1974). The underlying Papoose 

Lake Member is dolomite with distinctive orange 

burrow mottles; sparse limestone and silty dolomite 

beds. Formation is 580-1,700 m thick in the Nevada 

Test Site area (Slate and others, 2000), about 1,000 

m thick in the Dry Mountain area (Burchfiel, 1969), 

1,150-1,350 m thick in the Montgomery Mountains 

and Nopah Range, respectively (Burchfiel and others, 1983a, b), about 610 m thick in the northern 

Last Chance Range (McKee, 1985), 445-900 m 

thick in the Spring Mountains and southern Sheep 

Range (Page and others, in press), and reaches a 

maximum thickness of 1,633 m in the Groom Range 

area, Lincoln County (Tschanz and Pampeyan, 

1970) 

c Carrara Formation (Middle and Lower Cam�

brian)—Interbedded limestone, silty limestone, siltstone, sandstone, and shale. Upper part is mostly 

cliff-forming silty limestone, and lower part contains 

mostly clastic rocks. Limestone beds contain ooids, 

oncoids, and stromatolites. Contact with overlying 

Bonanza King Formation is commonly marked by a 

change from slope-forming limestone of the Carrara 

to more massive cliff-forming limestone and dolomite of the Bonanza King Formation. Unit is 457 m 

thick in the northwestern Spring Mountains (Vincellette, 1964), 500 m thick in the Striped Hills, 350 m 

thick at Bare Mountain (Slate and others, 2000), and 

420 m thick in the Montgomery Mountains (Burchfiel and others, 1983a, b) 

ms Mule Spring Limestone (Lower Cambrian)— 

Exposed in Palmetto Mountains, Clayton Ridge, 

Goldfield Hills, and Montezuma Range. Thin- to 

medium-bedded, aphanitic to finely-crystalline limestone with trilobite fragments; thicker beds have 

oncoids; calcareous siltstone and silty limestone are 

in lower part. Contact with overlying Emigrant Formation is sharp and disconformable. Total thickness 

estimated at 120-150 m (Albers and Stewart, 1972) 

h Harkless Formation (Lower Cambrian)—Exposed 

mostly in Esmeralda County, Nevada. Upper member is siliceous siltstone and shale. Lower member 

is interbedded sandstone, siltstone and thin-bedded 

limestone. Unit contains Olenellid trilobites and 

archaeocyathids, especially in lower member. Conformable with overlying Mule Spring Formation and 

underlying Poleta Formation; about 760-1,066 m 

thick (Albers and Stewart, 1972; McKee, 1985) 

z Zabriskie Quartzite (Lower Cambrian)—Laminated 

to thick-bedded orthoquartzite, commonly crossbedded and well-cemented; has skolithos. Unit is 

30-350 m thick in the Nevada Test Site area (Slate 

and others, 2000), 70 m thick in the Montgomery 

Mountains (Burchfiel and others, 1983a, b), and 106 

m thick in the Dry Mountain area 

Zws Wood Canyon Formation (Lower Cambrian and 

Late Proterozoic) and Stirling Quartzite (Late 

Proterozoic), undivided—Mapped in the Resting 

Springs, Nopah, Kingston, and Panamint ranges, 

and Montgomery Mountains 

Zw Wood Canyon Formation (Lower Cambrian and 

Late Proterozoic)—Quartzite, sandstone, siltstone, shale, and dolomite. Shaly and silty units 

increase in abundance in the upper part of the formation. Upper and lower thirds of unit consist of 

interbedded quartzite, micaceous siltstone, and 

minor silty dolomite. Middle third is mostly quartzite and siltstone, and minor distinctive arkosic conglomerate (Slate and others, 2000). Locally 

metamorphosed to subgreenschist and lower greenschist facies south of Nevada Test Site in Funeral 

Mountains and Specter Range (Slate and others, 

2000). Unit is from 700 to 1,150 m thick in the 

Nevada Test Site area (Slate and others, 2000), 

about 600 m thick in the Montgomery Mountains 

(Burchfiel and others, 1983a, b), and 640-820 m 

thick in the northwest Spring Mountains (Vincellette, 1964) 

po Poleta Formation (Lower Cambrian)—Exposed in 

the Montezuma Range, Magruder Mountain, and 

Palmetto Mountains in Esmeralda County, Nevada. 

Upper, middle, and lower informal members recognized. Upper member is thin-bedded limestone 

with some poorly preserved archaeocyathids. Middle member is phyllitic siltstone, limestone, and 

sandstone or quartzite. Olenellid trilobites common 

in siltstone, and archaeocyanthids in limestone. 

Contact with overlying Harkless Formation is sharp. 

Unit is greater than 600 m thick (McKee, 1985) 

Campito Formation (Lower Cambrian and Late 

Proterozoic)—Exposed in Esmeralda County, 

Nevada. Divided into: 

cam Montenegro Member (Lower Cambrian)—Siltstone, shale, and sandstone. Olenellid trilobites and 

archaeocyathids are rare in the shaly units. Unit is 

315 m thick (Albers and Stewart, 1972) 

Zcaa Andrews Mountain Member (Lower Cambrian 

and Late Proterozoic)—Thin-bedded quartzite and 

sparse beds of greenish shale. Sandstone is crossbedded, and has ripple marks and worm trails. 

About 910 m thick (McKee, 1985) 

Zd Deep Spring Formation (Late Proterozoic)— 

Exposed in Esmeralda County, Nevada, where 

upper, middle, and lower members are recognized. 

Upper member is siltstone, quartzite, and minor 

dolomite. Middle member is oolitic-limestone, 

quartzite, and some dolomite. Lower member is 

limestone and dolomite, and some siltstone. Unit 

apparently conformable with overlying Campito 

Formation. About 487-548 m thick (Albers and 

Stewart, 1972; McKee, 1985) 

Zs Stirling Quartzite and Reed Dolomite, undivided 

(Late Proterozoic)—The Stirling Quartzite and 

Reed Dolomite are time-equivalent units with the 

20 Geologic map of the Death Valley ground-water model area, Nevada and California 
Stirling Quartzite representing the eastern facies and 

the Reed Dolomite the western facies within the 

map area. These units are mapped as undivided due 

to similar hydrologic properties. The Stirling 

Quartzite contains quartzite and sandstone, conglomeratic quartzite, and minor beds of micaceous 

siltstone. Quartz grains are usually fine- to mediumgrained. A 20 m thick white quartzite marks the base 

of the unit in the Specter Range and northwestern 

Spring Mountains. Locally metamorphosed to subgreenschist and lower greenschist facies at Bare 

Mountain, Funeral Mountains (Slate and others, 

2000), and parts of the northwestern Spring Mountains (Vincellette, 1964). Unit forms massive cliffs 

and is 975 m thick in northwestern Spring Mountains (Nolan, 1924; Vincellette, 1964), 1,100 m 

thick in the Montgomery Mountains (Burchfiel and 

others, 1983a, b), 2,100 m thick in the Funeral 

Mountains (Wright and Troxel, 1993), 1,500 m 

thick in the Belted Range, and 700 m thick at Bare 

Mountain (Slate and others, 2000; Stewart, 1974). 

The Reed Dolomite is exposed in Slate Ridge, Gold 

Mountain, Palmetto Mountain, and Magruder 

Mountain areas, Esmeralda County, Nevada, and 

parts of Inyo County, California. The Reed Dolomite contains medium to coarsely crystalline dolomite, sandy dolomite, and minor amounts of 

limestone, siltstone, and quartzite; contains ooids 

and locally is pelletal. Reed Dolomite is greater 

than 457 m thick (Albers and Stewart, 1972) 

Zj Johnnie and Wyman Formations, undivided (Late 

Proterozoic)—The Johnnie and Wyman Formations 

are time-equivalent units with the Johnnie representing the eastern facies and the Wyman, the western 

facies within the map area. These units are mapped 

as undivided due to similar hydrologic properties. 

The Johnnie Formation is exposed in the Nopah, Panamint, and Kingston Ranges and Spring and Funeral 

Mountains. Unit contains quartzite, conglomeratic 

quartzite, siltstone, shale, and minor limestone and 

dolomite beds. Upper part contains Rainstorm Member (Stewart, 1974), which can be traced regionally 

across parts of southern Nevada and southeastern 

California. Rainstorm Member contains mixed clastic and carbonate units and the “Johnnie oolite,” a 

distinctive ooid-bearing dolomite unit in lower part 

of member. Formation exceeds 900 m thick in the 

Halfpint Range (Barnes and Christiansen, 1967), and 

is estimated at 2,000 m thick in the Funeral Mountains (Wright and Troxel, 1993); only 600 m of unit 

exposed in Spring Mountains (Vincellette, 1964). 

The Wyman Formation is exposed in the Slate Ridge 

and Gold Mountain areas of Esmeralda County and 

western parts of Inyo County, California. Unit contains phyllitic siltstone, limestone, sandy limestone, 

and calcareous sandstone. Maximum incomplete 

thickness of the Wyman Formation is 400 m (Albers 

and Stewart, 1972) 

ZYp Pahrump Group (Late and Middle Proterozoic)— 

Exposed in Black and Funeral Mountains and Panamint and Kingston Ranges of Death Valley region 

(Wright and others, 1974). Includes, from top to base, 

Kingston Peak, Beck Spring, and Crystal Spring Formations. Kingston Peak is staurolite- and biotitebearing pelitic schist, metaconglomerate, and calcitic 

marble; contains some basalt flows. Beck Spring is 

calcitic marble and minor dolomite. Crystal Spring is 

staurolite-biotite-bearing pelitic schist, micaceous 

quartzite, calcitic marble, and amphibolite; has 

diabase sills that were dated at 1.08 Ga (Heaman and 

Grotzinger, 1992). Group is 1,570 m thick in Funeral 

Mountains (Wright and Troxel, 1993) 

Xmi Metamorphic and igneous rocks, undifferentiated 

(Early Proterozoic)—Exposed mainly in the southern part of the map, in Greenwater, Funeral, Nopah, 

and Panamint Ranges, where it consists of biotite 

schist, biotite-hornblende-schist, and biotite-epidote schist. Schist is intruded by gneissic monzogranite in Trappman Hills, and north of western Gold 

Flat, schist and granite intruded by aplite and 

pegmatite dikes. Includes metasedimentary rocks in 

Funeral Mountains that are locally intruded by 

silicic plutons dated at 1.7 Ga (Wright and Troxel, 

1993) 

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