Holocene deformation events in the offshore Transverse Ranges (California, USA) constrained by new high-resolution geophysical data

Abstract

The Transverse Ranges (Southern California, USA) accommodate the contraction resulting from a regional restraining bend in the San Andreas Fault to form a fold-and-thrust belt system. The southern boundary of this system corresponds to the E-W trending Ventura basin, which is filled by more than 5 km of Pleistocene sediment and is shortening at about 7-10 mm/yr. Although he different thrusts and folds are fairly well known in the onshore areas of the basin, there is still uncertainty about their continuation in the offshore. The analysis of new high-resolution seismic data (chirp) and its combination with existing geophysical information has allowed us to map and characterize the active geological structures in the offshore. In addition, we have also identified 3 to 5 fold growth sequences associated with tectonic deformation events (e.g. earthquakes) in different thrust-related anticlines. This information may help us to determine the deformation history in the basin