38 
OIL DISTRICTS OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. 
The red beds of the Sespe formation again become prominent in 
Lion Hill, which lies between the Lower Ojai and Lion Canyon to the 
south. This ridge is an anticline, the trend of its axis curving slightly 
from N. 87° W. at the west end to N. 70° E. at the east. The crown 
of the arch is but gently bowed. The flanks, however, show steeply 
inclined strata. Locally, a slight synclinal flexure appears. To the 
north the red beds pass beneath the wash of the Lower Ojai Valley; 
to the south they are succeeded by the Modelo shale of Sulphur Moun¬ 
tain, the line of division being practically coincident with the stream 
channel in Lion Canyon. 
The Sespe formation of Lion Hill is doubtless another interfault 
block, more than ordinarily prominent, in the series that occupies the 
Ojai Valley. The apex of this block probably terminates within a 
mile of the Silver Thread district, the small body of red beds appear¬ 
ing in the latter region belonging to the greater mass of similar beds 
lying on the north side of the Ojai Valley. The Sespe formation in the 
block under discussion widens and becomes an important formation 
in the western portion of the Lower Ojai west of San Antonio Creek 
and Ventura River. On the north the red beds are in contact with 
the rusty beds in the minor interfault block already described, and, 
to the east of this block, with the projecting portion of the included 
fragment of the Modelo formation. On the south they are in contact 
with the Modelo shale throughout its whole length to San Antonio 
Creek. The minor interfault block of the Modelo in Thompson Ridge 
being disregarded, this Sespe block would appear to have been pushed 
up with reference to the formations north and south of it, particu¬ 
larly those on the north. 
Along Lion Canyon and the south edge of the Upper Ojai Valley 
is another of the greater faults of the district. Like the others, 
however, it terminates near the common center in the vicinity of 
Santa Paula Canyon. Farther west it is probably of considerable 
extent, having been recognized, it is thought, at the canyon of Ven¬ 
tura River several miles below Nordlioff. In any event there is the 
same succession here that is encountered in the Ojai Valley. 
Sulphur Mountain from one end to the other is composed of the 
Modelo shale, the strike of which corresponds with the trend of the 
ridge about N. 80° E. The dip is generally to the south. There are, 
however, local crumples of different degrees of importance, as, for in¬ 
stance, a possible anticline, indicated on the map (PL I) as passing along 
the lower slope of the mountain, and a second, the axis of which passes 
a little south of the well of the Langdell, Newmark & Roan Oil Com¬ 
pany, a few hundred feet below the summit. Also, it is possible that 
faulting, as well as folding, has taken place within the confines of the 
mountain. Such folds and faults may be accountable for the lines 
of petroleum seepages on both the north and south sides of the ridge. 
