Despite decades of study, the geometry, kinematics and even the existence of some components of the CM fault remain the subject of debate. Our research indicates that the complex is comprised of two parallel to subparallel faults striking roughly north-south along the eastern flank of Clark Mountain and Mohawk Ridge. The general character of rocks associated with this fault is markedly similar to that of the Keystone thrust in the Spring Mountains. The footwall is comprised of Precambrian metamorphic basement while the hanging wall consists of brecciated lower Cambrian Zabriskie and Carrara Formations. Our investigations are consistent with the interpretation of normal movement along this fault.
Detailed mapping shows the high angle fault to be locally over-ridden by the thrust.
We are lead to the conclusion that extension predates compression. This was followed by northeast-directed thrusting. Introduction The field study area lies immediately west of the Molycorp Mountain Pass Rare Earth Mine, San Bernardino County California. Much of the study area lies within the East Mojave Scenic Preserve. Access is by a series of drill roads and 4-WD drive tracks.