151 



theories appear to be inadequate to explain the origin of 

 Redondo Canyono Two possibilities are proposed for the origin 

 of this canyons (1) The two large tributaries on the north 

 wall of the canyon are the result of erosion by one or more 

 tributaries flowing from Ballona Creek o Thus, Ballona Creek 

 was responsible for erosion of Redondo Canyon as well as Santa 

 Monica Canyon, Perhaps the stream actually flowed out the head 

 of the canyon, but this is difficult to prove. Redondo Canyon 

 then could migrate landward by headward erosion. (2) A streajn 

 flowed to the north of Palos Verdes Hills , but is so old that 

 all evidence of its existence has been obliterated by later 

 reworking and deposition of sediments. The region might have 

 been a wide flood plain close to sea level and therefore could 

 supply large quantities of sediments for turbidity currents - 

 if this was the origin of the canyon, 



A tongue of sediments extending from the western tributary 

 on the north side of Redondo Canyon towards Ballona Creek is 

 evident on most of the bottom sediment charts. This suggests 

 that the former stream channel may still be evident as shown 

 by the superficial sediment deposit, or present oceanographic 

 conditions have an influence on the distribution of sediments, 

 and for some reason are related to the old tributary. 



