California's Old Faithful Geyser and Double Rainbow
Old Faithful of California is in Calistoga, about 50 miles (80 Km) north of San Francisco. Spouting 350oF (177oC) water about 60 feet (18 meters) into the air, this geyser erupts on average every 40 minutes. When this photo was taken in June 1999, the average time between eruptions was 13 minutes, thanks to the rapid influx of water supplied by well-above-average rainfall from the prior El Niņo winters. Some studies suggest that changes in eruption frequency of the geyser is correlated to earthquakes occurring 2 days to 2 weeks later including the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake.
Print No. A99NW-2-2
More Images of Rainbows
Mormon Rocks and Sun Rays
The Mormon Rocks are Miocene-age sandstone beds of the Cajon Formation. Compression and shearing along the San Andreas Fault have resulted in the tilting and re-exposure of these beds. These formations lie in the Cajon Pass, a valley carved by the San Andreas Fault where the San Gabriel Mountains (west of the fault) are being pulled toward the northwest, away from the San Bernardino Mountains (east of the fault).
Print No. A98-43-1
More Images of Sun Rays
Landers Earthquake Scarp
This north-facing view is from the June 28, 1992 earthquake that occurred in the Mojave Desert, northeast of Los Angeles, and registered 7.3 on the Richter scale. This scarp was formed when the land in the foreground (left of the scarp) slipped to the north-northwest about 12 to 18 feet (3 to 5 meters) relative to the far side (right of the scarp). The vertical displacement of 5 to 6 feet (almost 2 meters), seen here is largely due to the lateral shifting of the uneven topographic surface, though some local thrusting has occurred in this complex fault zone.
Print No. A99-68-3
Chevron Folds at Calico Ghost Town
Looking west from the parking lot of the Calico Ghost Town, just north of Barstow in the Mojave Desert, these impressive chevron, or kink folds are exposed in cross-section along a gully that, unfortunately, has been paved right to the base of the outcrop. These ancient lake and stream beds of the Miocene-age Barstow Formation have undergone significant tectonic buckling along local faults since they were laid down 13 to 16 million years ago.
Print No. A01-34-10
Amboy Crater
Amboy Crater is the most impressive feature in the 27 square mile (70 Km2) Amboy Lava Field in the middle of the Mojave Desert. This is a young volcanic center, and was last active around 10,000 years ago. Amboy Crater was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1973 by the U.S. National Park Service. The surrounding lava flows are composed predominantly of basalt as pahoehoe. The ropy surface of the pahoehoe can be seen in the lower left corner of the image.
Print No. A03-5-2
Antelope Valley California Poppy Preserve
Located in Antelope Buttes at the west end of the Mojave Desert, this 1,745 acre State Reserve was dedicated in 1976 to protect and perpetuate native wildflowers, in particular, California's state flower, the California Poppy (Eschschoizia californica). Although every year is different in term of the bloom time and intensity, this area is one of the best for the spring display, which typically peaks in mid-April.
Print No. A01-34-12
Goose Lake Sunset
Goose Lake is located in the remote northeastern corner of California. It was along the northern approach to the gold fields during the California Gold Rush of 1849. The 49ers settled along the route, and with the assistance of the U.S. Government, the native Pitt River people were displaced. In 1938, the largest known meteorite found in California, known as the Goose Lake Siderite, was collected here.
Print No. A01NW-2-2
