Coastal landslide chutes on the Point Reyes Headlands, Point Reyes National Seashore, Marin County, California

Point Reyes Headlands at Point Reyes National Seashore (Marin County). Wave erosion is carving away away at the base of uplifted granite headlands causing over-steepening of the slope. This results in landslides that drop material into the ocean or beaches in small coves. The headlands at Chimney Rock on the east end of the headlands are capped by marine terrace deposits and a soil horizon that are perhaps only about 150,000 years old. They are now several hundred feet above sea level. The occurrence of these deposits illustrate how relatively the coastline is changing from the combine effects of sea-level change, tectonic uplifts, and coastal erosion (including landsliding).

The URL of this page is http://3dparks.wr.usgs.gov/landslide/big/28.htm