214 The A:iic)-ic((n Geologist. October, 1897 
In discussing the subject I will first give a brief outline of 
the generally accepted opinions of geologists upon the ques- 
tion in its broader aspects, and then in greater detail, the 
published results of study of that portion of the Pacific coast 
contained within the state of California where the most num- 
erous observations have been made. Following this the main 
portion of the paper will be devoted more especially to a pre- 
sentation of the leading lines of evidence relating to the epei- 
rogenic as well as the orogenie disturbances of the coast re- 
gion from the Inte Tertiary to the present. The special ob- 
ject will be to draw out the fact of an elevation of the coast 
much greater than the present during the earlier portion of 
the Pleistocene. 
General Movements of Pliocene and Plelstocene Time. 
The more important events recognized in geology between 
the closing portion of the Pliocene and the present are be- 
lieved by man}'' to have been of almost worldwide importance. 
Geikie* says: "The general succession of geological changes 
in post-Tertiary time appears to have been broadlj^ the same 
all over the northern hemisphere." Dana'sf discussion of 
this question is substantially as follows: (1) an elevating 
movement inaugurated near the close of the Pliocene and con- 
tinning into the Pletstocene, and terminating in the glacial 
period, (2) depression during the Champlain period with re- 
treat of the glaciers, followed (3) in the Recent period by an- 
other upward movement, and last of all a possible subsidence. 
He inclines to the opinion that there are evidences of similar 
Pleistocene movements on the Pacific coast, basing his con- 
clusions upon the terraces reported by geologists from that 
region, as well as on the presence of submarine valleys de- 
scribed by Davidson. These valleys extend down to depthr- 
varying from 2400 to 3000 feet and are considered by Dana 
as valleys of stream erosion, indicating an elevation of the 
coast of California of that much probably during the Glacial 
period. Dana farther quotes Dawson to the effect that an el- 
evation of British Columbia of about 900 feet above the pres- 
ent existed during the Pliocene, that the fiords there occur- 
ring were enlarged during the following Glacial period. 
*Text Book of Geology, 3d edition, p. 1050. 
tManuel of Geology, 4th edition. 
