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University of California. 



[Vol. 1. 



series of these abandoned strands is most complete and most con- 

 spicuous in the vicinity of Fort Ross, the former seat of the Russian 

 occupation of northern California. At this point the edge of the 

 coastal plateau breaks away in great steps, which have the charac- 

 ters of wave-cut terraces. That these features are better developed 

 at this point than is the case for portions of the coast farther south, 

 is probably due to the fact that just where the terraces become 

 most pronounced we enter upon a geological terrane which is lack- 

 ing farther south, viz., the strata which have been called the Wal- 

 lala formation ; and these rocks appear to be better adapted both 

 for the sculpture of terraces and for their preservation, owing to the 

 greater homogeneity of the rocks. With the aid of a contour map 

 of this portion of the coast, executed by the Coast and Geodetic 

 Survey, on a scale of 1 : 10,000, which was kindly placed at the 

 writer's disposal by Mr. G. W. Call, of Fort Ross, he was able to 

 determine approximately the altitude of the more prominent of 

 these terraces, their character being well expressed on the map. 

 The highest terrace is at a distance of two and one-half miles from 

 the fort, and is traversed by the wagon road along the upper part 

 of the ridge, overlooking the sea, just before its enters upon the 

 steep grade to the fort. The altitude of the terrace is 1,520 feet 

 above sea level. Its characters as an ocean strand are undoubted. 

 Sea-cliff, sloping terrace, and boulder beach in the lea of the cliff 

 are all well preserved. Evidences of shore action at higher altitudes 

 have not been observed. The coastal plateau here is represented by 

 a fairly level-topped ridge a little over i,6co feet high; and it is 

 possible that higher strands may have existed and been obliterated, 

 or may yet remain and have escaped observation. The proximity 

 of this terrace, however, to the summit of the dissected plateau 

 affords a presumption that it is the highest oceanic strand w hich we 

 are likely to find. 



The more prominent wave-cut terraces below this highest one are 

 situated at 1 ,400, 1, i No, 760, 440, 350, and 280 feet respectively above 

 sea level. There are many other less prominent terraces, which, 

 though quite apparent to the eye, are but vaguely expressed in con- 

 tours even on this scale, so that they could not be identified on the 

 map with certainty and their elevations determined. Sand and 



