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WilderRanch.jpg - The geography of the coast at Wilder Ranch consists
of a series of elevated marine terraces. The terraces increase in age progressively
uphill, reflecting the gradual uplift of the coastline along the Santa Cruz
Mountains. This image shows the irregular headlands at Wilder Ranch where
wave action is gradually eroding cliffs of Santa Cruz Mudstone.
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WilderRanch2.jpg - This sea cave is along the Old Cove Landing Trail.
Beyond the sea bluff is Wilder Beach, a wildlife preserve that is closed
to the public. |
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WilderRanch3.jpg - Looking north along the coast along the Old Cove
Landing Trail. |
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WilderRanch4.jpg - A small cove along the Old Cove Landing Trail. The
flat field extending to the distance is the Highway One Terrace. This terrace
formed more than 100,000 years ago during one of the major interglacial
periods prior to the last great ice age of the Pleistocene Epoch. The distant
hill represents another elevated terrace that formed even earlier in the
Pliestocene Epoch. The dating of terraces helps to confirm that the Santa
Cruz Mountains are gradually rising at a rate of about 0.6 mm per year. |
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WilderRanch5.jpg - The coast along the Old Cove Landing Trail. |
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WilderRanch6.jpg - Sea cliffs at Wilder Ranch. |
