HomeMy WebLinkAboutGeneral Plan Elements: Technical Information r
Philip L. Boyd Deep Canyon DPP
Desert Research Center
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Valley Studios,Hemet
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Annual Report 1972-1973
This aerial photograph, from about 6,000 feet, was taken by Walter E. Frisbie, Hemet
commercial photographer. It shows the station buildings at the 950-foot elevation near the
lower left corner. Deep Canyon Creek swings sharply north below the buildings, at the toe
of Sheep Mountain. The canyon continues to the right (south) upstream into the lower
gorge near the upper right corner of the picture. Jeep trails and the main road are barely
discernible.
The Philip L. Boyd Deep Canyon Desert Research Center comprises nearly 14,000
acres of Colorado Desert floodplain and foothill canyons of the eastern slopes of the Santa
Rosa Mountains about 75 miles southeast of Riverside. The nearest major community is 4
Palm Springs, about 19 miles northwest. Indio is 11 miles to the east.
The center is a desert wilderness area, yet readily accessible for research purposes.
Elevations range from 700 feet at the northern boundary, which is marked by a chain link
fence and a locked gate, to nearly 5,000 feet on the upper slopes of Sheep Mountain to the
south. Research elevations nearby are from —235 feet at the Salton Sea to 8,700 feet on
Toro Peak, summit of the Santa Rosas.
Administered by the University of California at Riverside, the center is a major unit in
the statewide Natural Land and Water Reserves System of the university. Until the
acquisition of Santa Cruz Island, it was the largest.
The center provides well-equipped laboratory and living quarters for short-term or '
long-range researchers. Use of the facilities can be reserved through the center's director, in
care of the Department of Biology, University of California, Riverside.
10 1.
The year 1,972-1973 was a period of change for the Philip L. Boyd
Deep Canyon Desert Research Center--changes in personnel, administrative
responsibilities - all with the goal of increasing the center's research
40 capabilities and use through a long-range developmental program.
Much of the change resulted from recommendations contained in the
Lewis Report of June, 1972. This document was submitted to the chancellor
by an ad hoc committee appointed by him in December, 1971. It was headed
by Dr. Lowell Lewis, associatej! dean for research, college of agricultural
and biological sciences.
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Dr. Irwin P. Ting, professor of biology (plant physiology) at the
University of California, Riverside, was appointed director of the center
early in the year, succeeding Dr. Frank Vasek, chairman of the department
of biology, who had functioned as interim director since the resignation
of Dr. Rodolfo Ruibal in February, 1972. Dr. Ting is under the general
administrative supervision of Vice Chancellor Van L. Perkins. Deep Canyon
retains a housekeeping liaison with the biology department.
Effective July 1, Lloyd Tevis resigned as associate research specialist,
ending a long career with the center which actually pre-dated Deep Canyon's
acquisition by the university in 1958. Tevis had served with the California
Institute of Technology's desert mobile laboratory since the mid-1950s.
It was located in Deep Canyon largely through the efforts of Tevis.
Mr. Tevis has not announced his future research plans. He recently
was elected to the newly created Rancho Mirage city council and retains his
directorship in the Living Desert Association at Palm Desert. Deep Canyon
has preliminary plans to publish his manuscript about desert amphibians.
10 2.
Two fulltime staff members were named in February, 1973. Jan
Zabriskie, a botany graduate of Pomona College, was assigned as resident
researcher, working fulltime at the station. Bill Jennings, a graduate
of San Diego State College and veteran Riverside County newspaperman,
was assigned as principal editor, to work both at the center and at a
new office in the biology department at Riverside.
An agreement was reached with General Telephone Co. for the early
replacement of the radio-telephone with a landline telephone. Delays in
construction have resulted from engineering difficulties. The line will
be installed on the poles of the Anza Electric Cooperative, which bring
W electric power to Deep Canyon from the Pinyon Flats area.
Through the generosity of Philip L. Boyd, a new housing unit was
installed during the spring to serve the resident researcher. Known as
Palo Verde Cottage, the little building was used first at Deep Well Ranch
near Palm Springs in the 1930s and in recent years at Mr. Boyd's Deep
Canyon Ranch as a guest house. It blends in with other structures at
Deep Canyon station.
Two additional travel trailers were purchased with Deep Canyon funds
to provide overnight or short-stay quarters for researchers at the station
`w and at the 2,700-foot elevation near Highway 74, 14 miles by road from the
canyon floor.
Early in February, a comprehensive news release detailing the 20-
year study of Deep Canyon's resources was distributed by the campus public
affairs office. It was used widely by regional newspapers and provided the
basic facts for several major feature stories, a pending magazine article
and at least two television sequences.
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Financial implications of this long-range program will be outlined in
a special section of this report.
Much of the preliminary portion of this 20-year study is underway,
in the nature of inventories or surveys of existing biological forms
within the 13,000 acres of the Boyd center.
The most ambitious of these is an entomological study primarily
conducted by Mr. Saul Frommer, senior museum scientist in the UCR department
of entomology. (Mr. Frommer's detailed annual report is summarized later in
this report.)
Mrs. Nancy Zabriskie, longtime associate with the Los Angeles State-
County Arboretum, continued her plant collection, identification and classi-
fication work at Deep Canyon as a volunteer. Due to a combination of timely
rainfall and warm weather, the spring produced a bounty of annual plants,
including what many desert oldtimers called the greatest display of wild-
flowers in a half-century.
Three projects under the Desert Biome portion of the U.S. International
Biological Program also contributed significantly to the Deep Canyon "inventory"
in the fields of succulent plants , nematodes and small mammals. Details of
these individual projects are listed later in this report.
Increased use of computer input, storage and retrieval is an integral
part of the long-range program. Funds for this work are part of the budget
expansion program now being proposed.
Following are some highlights of the year in several categories.
LAND ACQUISITION
Better control over environmental conditions by land acquisition
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continued to be a matter of major concern to Deep Canyon as to all other
units of the University-wide Natural Land and Water Reserves System (NLWRS) .
A lack of funds prevented additional land purchase to remove some of the
checkerboard patterns of privately held sections adjacent to the U.S.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) sections now under research control by
the university.
Some sections have been offered for sale but at high prices.
One significant plus came during the year, however. A new inter-
agency committee composed of federal, state and county agencies which have
concerns with the Santa Rosa Mountains desert bighorn sheep habitat was
formed, primarily at the urging of the California Department of Fish and
Game. Federal agencies involved include BLM and the U.S. Forest Service.
Other state agencies include the California Department of Parks and Recrea-
tion, the University of California and perhaps later the California Division
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of Forestry. The Riverside County Parks Department and County Planning
Commission complete the list.
The new committee has several objectives of interest to Deep Canyon.
Primary among these are coordination in land acquisition, management and
disposal, in order to prevent duplication, to improve agency cooperation
and provide a common information exchange for sheep management.
The anticipated announcement this fall of a major fund drive to
enhance the NLWRS is also a hopeful development for Deep Canyon.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES
A major plant expansion program during the year included addition of
a permanent dwelling for the resident researcher, Palo Verde Cottage, a
longtime resort cottage used at both Deep Well Ranch and Deep Canyon Ranch
5.
since before World War II by Mr. Philip L. Boyd. He moved the comfortable
dwelling from Palm Desert to the Deep Canyon station at his own expense and
underwrote rehabilitation costs.
Two used travel trailers were added as temporary quarters for short-
term researchers. One, with air-conditioning and complete kitchen facilities ,
was installed between the Pomona College trailer used by Dr. William Wirtz
and the former Desert Mobile Laboratory trailer obtained from California
Institute of Technology many years ago.
The second trailer, smaller, with only desert cooling, was placed at
the upper station off Highway 74 at the 2,700-foot level. It will be used
by overnight research teams of three persons or less.
With addition of the two trailers, the center can now accomodate
upwards of eight guests in comfort and over a dozen in an emergency.
Still under construction at the end of the year was a new road and
gate access to the station, provided free by Ironwood Country Club, as Silver
Spur Associates now call their golf-tennis condominium development just north
of the center. The existing road was realigned around the eastern boundary
of Ironwood's longest golf course. A second road was graded along the perim-
eter of Coyote Canyon wash to a new gate opening a quarter-mile east of the
present gate. When compacted for two-wheel-drive vehicles , the new road
will open an undergraduate class study area outside the fence and provide an
alternate route to the station buildings.
RESEARCH PROGRESS
The Desert Biome of the U.S. International Biological Program continued
to fund three major long-range projects at Deep Canyon, although one was with-
drawn from federal support at year 's end. These included the Opuntia spp
6.
studies undertaken four years ago by Drs. Ting and Hyrum Johnson; the
continuing desert nematode survey led by Dr. Reinhold Mankau of UCR, and
Dr. Wirtz's small mammal ecological studies. The Pomona program is continuing
but Dr. Wirtz no longer receives federal assistance directly.
The other major continuing project is Dr. Jack Turner's desert bighorn
sheep (Ovis canadensis) physiology study, now in its fifth year. He received
his doctorate early in 1973 as a partial result of his work at Deep Canyon
40 and also received new financial support from the National Geographic Society.
Both the insect and plant collections were expanded during the year,
particularly in early spring due to a propitious combination of rainfall and
` temperature that led to an unusual growth of annual plants. The resulting
wildflower display throughout the Colorado and Mohave deserts was described
as the best in the past half century.
Mrs. Zabriskie, aided by other volunteers, stepped up the rate of plant
collection, identification and classification. Her son, Jan, continued and
expanded her work to upper elevations during the early summer months. The
40 partial floristic list for the Deep Canyon Transect represented by specimens
in the center's herbarium totaled 356 species by the end of the fiscal year.
The total number of mounted specimens in the herbarium reached 684.
40 Duplicates are now being collected to indicate seasonal, population and
individual differences for a species as well as to facilitate identification
of plants for related research. A need for additional herbarium space is
noted.
Jan Zabriskie established three permanent plant quadrats, each 100
meters square, to determine seasonal and long-term changes , as part of the
r 20-year study. Data for density, relative frequency and cover have been
accumulated. Two quadrats are near the station at the 1,000-foot elevation,
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one in Coyote Canyon, the other in Sheep Canyon. The third is at the 2,700-
foot elevation near the upper site weather station near Highway 74.
Zabriskie also installed three additional recording weather stations
to complement the existing station near the laboratory, which also has been
W expanded. Shelters at the mouth of Deep Canyon gorge and Sheep Canyon each
contain rain gauges and hygrothermographs to record (on a seven-day clock)
temperature and relative humidity. The upper site shelter includes a two-
point thermograph for surface and subsurface temperature as well as a hygro-
thermograph and rain gauge. The hygrothermeter, pyrheliometer and rain gauge
at the station site have been supplemented by a dew meter , microbarograph,
evaporimeter and a two-point thermograph, all recording with seven-day clock
mechanisms.
The result, for the first time, is accurate and relatively complete
weather information for three separate locations in the center. one.
At the fiscal year's end, Mrs. Zabriskie was completing a cross-index
file for the herbarium; reorganizing the herbarium, with labeled family and
-10 genus folders , and continuing the collection of plants from the transmontane
slopes of the San Jacinto and Santa Rosa mountains.
Progress reports for the three Desert Biome-IBP projects are on file
W at the Deep Canyon office, along with copies of Dr. Turner's dissertation
and Saul Frommer's annual entomological collection report. Some copies of
these documents are available on request.
r As an additional zoological project, Dr. Turner completed an environ-
mental study for Palm Springs Atajo, a large-scale residential and recreational
development in the Haystack-Asbestos mountains section of the Santa Rosas. He
was assisted during the summer by Peg Merritt, a UCR undergraduate zoology
student, primarily funded by the Atajo developers.
8.
Dr. Turner is now on the zoology faculty at the University of Wyoming,
Laramie, but continues to monitor the bighorn study with the assistance of
Karen Fowler, director of Living Desert Reserve near the center at Palm
Desert.
PUBLICATIONS-PUBLIC RELATIONS
Selected, special-interest groups continued to visit Deep Canyon during
the year, on invitation only. The pace of newspaper, magazine and television
coverage continued to increase, highlighted by the birth of a bighorn sheep
ram lamb on Easter Sunday.
Mr. Jennings prepared the manuscript of Ants of Deep Canyon, by Drs.
G. C. and Jeanette Wheeler of the University of Nevada Desert Research
Institute. It was expected to be off the press by mid-fall, as the second
book in an anticipated series of science-popular books on the center's
resources and research. The first was Mark Ryan's Mammals of Deep Canyon,
published by the Palm Springs Desert Museum in 1968.
Subsequent publications under consideration include Lloyd Tevis '
Paradoxes of the Desert: Toad, Frog and Salamander. This is not expected to
be a full length book due to the limited nature of its subject matter.
Also in preliminary stages are a comprehensive history of Deep Canyon,
requested by Chancellor Ivan Hinderaker, and a general-interest book with the
tentative title: Deep Canyon, A Desert Wilderness for Science.
A New York writer also is attempting to "sell" a desert environmental
40
book to Time-Life Books, with Deep Canyon as a central point for his theme.
In addition, Dr. Turner anticipates a manuscript for National Geographic
Magazine at the conclusion of his long-range sheep study.
The major publicity development during the year was preparation of a
9.
five-minute television tape show for worldwide distribution by the U.S.
Information Agency.
Attached are summary reports of publications/scientific paper presenta-
tions ; analysis of visitor registrations; research projects, and a partial
listing of future objectives and financial requirements.
10.
RESEARCH PROJECTS
(Number after description is estimate of man-days involved.)
Desert Biome--U.S. International Biological Program
Mankau, R. (and others) . The biology of nematodes in desert
ecosystems. UCR. 12
Ting, I. P. (and others). Gas exchange and productivity for
0 untia spp. UCR. 150
Wirtz, William 0. II. Ecology of ground squirrels and kangaroo
rats. Pomona College. 80
Frommer, Saul. (and others) . Continuing insect survey. UCR. 25 * +
Tabet, Ali. Phenological study of bombyliid populations in Deep
Canyon.UCR. 60
Turner, Jack (and others). Continuing physiological study of desert
bighorn sheep. UCR. 60
Skjold, H. E. Water hydrology of Deep Canyon. U.S. Geological Survey 6
Zabriskie, Nancy (and others). Collection and classification of
plants; revision of floristic list;
reorganization of herbarium, files. UCR. 40 * +
Lawton, Harry and Phil Wilke. Aboriginal agriculture. UCR. 6
Jones, Ronald. Water turnover study in black-throated sparrow. UCR. 4
Walsberg, Glenn. Ecological study of Phainopepla nitens. UCLA, 5
Krout, Douglas. Non-symbiotic bacterial nitrogen fixation in desert
soils. CSU-SD. 9
Tevis, Lloyd. Desert amphibians (preparatory for publication) UCR. 36 *
Kitasako, John. Biological survey, Palm Hills annexation area. UCR . 6
Zabriskie, Jan. Plant collection, seed collection in several transects
in Deep Canyon area. 25 *
* Research financed totally, or in part by Deep Canyon funds.
+ This does not include many man-hours spent at UCR on this project.
11.
SUMMARIES OF MAJOR RESEARCH PROJECTS
DESERT BIOME
Gas Exchange and Productivity for Opuntia Spp.
Irwin P. Ting, Project Leader
H. B. Johnson, T. A. Yonkers
and S. R. Szarek
Annual rates of productivity have decreased for the cholla
cactus, 0. acanthocarpa and 0. biglovii. Such results appear to be
directly related to a 19-month period of very arid conditions at
Deep Canyon. (Editor's note: This report was prepared prior to the
spring of 1973.)
During periods of dry, arid conditions stomata remained closed
throughout the 24-hour day. Cuticular resistances exceeded 600 sec/cm for
the three Opuntia species, such that 14CO2 uptake cannot be measured. The
day/night fluctuation in stem tissue acidity is low and quite predictable.
This study began at Deep Canyon in 1971 and is continuing into the
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1973-1974 fiscal year. Deep Canyon was chosen for the research site because
of the comparative abundance of Opuntia Spp. in the research station and
adjoining areas of the Colorado Desert. The three species under study are
0. acanthocarpa, 0. biglovii and 0. basilaris.
The Deep Canyon study complements the work of Duncan Patten at
Arizona State University, Tempe.
During the current year, the Deep Canyon study will include
further investigation of the responses of the three Opuntia species to
environmental parameters.
12.
SUMMARIES OF RESEARCH PROJECTS (Continued)
DESERT BIOME
Natural Activity in Patterns and Thermal Experience
in Dipodomys merriami
W. 0. Wirtz, II, Project Leader
and D. V. Brown
Objectives of this study (which began in 1970) were to document
by biotelemetric techniques the natural activity patterns and thermal
experiences of Dipodomys merriami (Merriam kangaroo rat) in the Colorado
Desert, a major division of the Sonoran Desert.
A series of technical difficulties hampered Dr. Wirtz's efforts
to perfect functional telemetric equipment. A year's demographic data
on the species and associated Deep Canyon rodents was obtained, along
with corollary measurements of temperature in burrows, surface and air
conditions. Activity patterns of kangaroo rats under simulated desert
summer and winter conditions were examined in the laboratory at Pomona.
Early in 1970 the project leader began working with General Dynamics,
at Pomona, on the design of biotelemetric techniques for monitoring small
rodent forms. By late 1971 functional models were "breadboarded."
Despite this good start no transmitters were available for the project
by 1972.
Work during the fiscal year, therefore, was somewhat hampered.
Dr. Wirtz began work in December, 1972, on an alternate telemetry system.
During the current year he plans to refine the use of this equipment for
securing necessary information on natural activity patterns and thermal
experience.
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SUR&I�LRIES OF RESEARCH PROJECTS (Continued)
40
uCR- l� tional Geographic Society
Dntinuing physiological studies of Desert Bighorn Sheep
(Ovis canadensis)
This study is conducted by Dr. Jack Turner, now a zoology instructor
at the University of Wyoming, Laramie. He began his field work at Deep
Canyon and in surrounding sheep habitat in the Santa Hosa P'lountains as
a graduate student in 1969 and continues his project with student help
this year, although 1-,is duties at Laramie preclude other than summer
and short-term field studies personally.
To date, Dr. Turner's primary publication has been his own
dissertation, entitled "Water, Energy and Electrolyte 3alance in the
:)esert 3iN,horn Sheep, Ovis canadensis." He also is preparing manuscript
data for consideration by National Geographic Society for publication in
its worldwide monthly magazine, as a consideration of the grant.
The desert bighorn, subspecies Ovis canadensis cre_nnobates Elliot,
is the largest naturally occuring mammal in the Colorado Desert. Dr.
iarner's studies, on calotive animals at Living; Desert reserve ne=.r the
Deep Canton station, and on free ranging animals in the Santa itiosa
i°ange, involve monitoring physiological and behavioral functions with
radio collars, remote sensor telemetry gear and more conventional
1iboratory and visual methods. He works in full cooperation with the State
Department of Fish and name, which has had total responsibility for this
protected species under state law since 1873. Without the department's
express consent, and enabling state law, Dr. Turner's work would not be
ooss:ible.
14.
SUMMARIES OF RESEARCH PROJECTS (Continued)
UCR-Department of Entomology
Continuing entomological survey, collection and
Classification in the Deep Canyon Transect
Saul Frommer, Project Leader
The entomological survey for the Philip L. Boyd Deep Canyon Desert
Research Center has been underway since the mid-1960s, first under the
direction of Dr. Evert I. Schlinger (now on the faculty of UC, Berkeley)
and for the past several years led by Saul Frommer, senior museum scientist
for the department.
(Because of the detailed nature of Mr. Frommer's report, it is not
included as an appendix to this annual statement but is available on
W request.)
During the year, Mr. Frommer continued the preparation, identification
and storage of heretofore collected arthropod materials; gathered additional
materials , particularly plentiful because of the aforementioned spring
conditions of rainfall, plant growth and temperatures.
He continued the development of a data storage and retreival program
for the Deep Canyon arthrop fauna.
Specific research was conducted on the dipterous families Bombyliidae,
Chamaemyiidae and Chironomidae.
He was assisted in many ways by Dr. John Pinto, Dr. Peter Rauch (at
Berkeley) , Ali Tabet (UCR graduate student) and Phil McNally (undergraduate) .
With the help of Lloyd Tevis, Mr. Frommer also conducted a site survey
of the lower Deep Canyon gorge, from the Zero marker to Thunderbird pool.
40 15.
PUBLICATIONS
(Including papers delivered at seminars, symposiums, etc.)
Lynch, Timothy, Rodolfo Ruibal and Lloyd Tevis. 1973. Birds of a cattle
feedlot in the Southern California desert. California Agriculture,
AV 27(3) : 4-6.
Oechel, W. C. , B. R. Strain and W. R. Odening. 1972. Photosynthetic rates of
a desert shrub, Larrea divaricata Cay. , under field conditions. Photosynthetica
6(2) : 183-188.
Oechel, W. C. , B. R. Strain and W. R. Odening. 1972. Tissue water potential
photosynthesis, 14C-labeled photosythate utilization and growth in the
desert shrub, Larrea divaricata Cay. Ecological Monographs 42:127-142. Spring 1972.
Szarek, Stan R. , Hyrum B. Johnson and I. P. Ting, 1973. Drought adaptation
in 0_puntia basilaris: significance of recycling carbon through crassulacean
acid metabolism. Plant Physiology (in press).
Ting, I. P. Carbon metabolism in plants. What's New in Plant Physiology
5(3) : 4 pp. 1973.
Ting, I. P. , Physiological adaptation to water stress in desert plants.
Paper presented at Physiological Adaptation Symposium, American Institute of
Biological Science meeting, June, 1973. (to be published).
Ting, I. P. , Hyrum B. Johnson and Stan R. Szarek. 1972. Net CO2 fixation in
crassulacean acid metabolism plants. Proceedings of Southern Section,
American Society of Plant Physiologists/Cotton, Inc. :26-53.
V
16.
PUBLICATIONS (Continued)
Ting, I. P. , Hyrum Johnson and Stan R. Szarek. 1973. Gas exchange and
productivity for 0 up ntia spp. Paper presented at International
Biological Program Conference, Wales, April, 1973. (to be published in
proceedings).
Turner, J. C. 1972. Water, energy and electrolyte balance in desert
bighorn sheep Ovis canadensis) . Ph.D. Thesis, University of California,
Riverside. 132 p.
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17.
FUTURE OBJECTIVES---FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS
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Students of previous annual reports for the Philip L. Boyd Deep Canyon
Desert Research Center will recall a number of recurring concerns expressed
by the authors, who generally were identified as chairmen of the control
committee within the department of biology.
Appointment of Deep Canyon's first independent director (who reports
40
to the vice chancellor directly) has not changed any of these concerns,
although it permits perhaps a better articulation and expression of them.
First, there remains the primary problem of land acquisition in order
s
to protect the fragile environment, particularly pressing in 1973 due to
increased private land speculation and/or development in the previously
thought inaccessible Santa Rosa Mountains. The recommendation remains the
same as in previous years--acquisition of inholding privately-owned land
sections , particularly the three immediately south of the Deep Canyon
station laboratory.
A permanent endowment fund to support expanding research remains a
major objective.
Expanded budget funds to support both increased research and to
provide additional support staff personnel and facilities needed to provide
a base for such research.
In that line, the needs include housing, improved domestic water
retrieval and storage; additional jeep roads and trails, particularly
upper elevation areas; a third laboratory and accompanying storage space;
additional utilities, including electricity, telephone, natural gas or
propane, sewerage and parking facilities.
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To accomplish the 20-year study plan announced during the fiscal year,
these things are mandatory, along with computer input, storage and retrieval
capacity to serve researchers anywhere in the world who wish to use Deep
Canyon's store of knowledge, either by computer or as preliminary informa-
tion for their future research studies.
A Preliminary and tentative budget expansion proposal is being prepared
for submission in order that Deep Canyon's needs for future growth can be met.
The budget request is being prepared with care so as not to handicap or
inhibit any requests for on-campus research facilities at Riverside.
The staff is continuing to explore ways and means of securing additional,
supplemental funding from sources outside the university, to support current
and contemplated future research discussed in the next section of this report.
19.
PROPOSED AND/OR ANTICIPATED MAJOR PROGRAMS
The director proposes a seminar-symposium series on an alternate-year
basis to cover important and current aspects of desert biology. A proposal
for the first is now being prepared.
A joint Australian-U.S. comparative desert program is now in the
proposal stage, both at UCR and at the Australian National University in
4V Canberra. The physiology and biochemistry of desert succulents native to
the American deserts and naturalized in much of Australia will be studied.
A cooperative graduate-student program between Deep Canyon and the
University of Coahuila, Mexico, has been proposed through the Dry-Lands
Research Institute, UCR. It would emphasize greater use of cactus as
animal fodder and human food in the southern republic.
Also proposed is a computer storage-retrieval plan for phenological
data in which seasonal changes in biomass, species , etc. , will be followed.
The Deep Canyon "five-foot shelf" of books containing practical and
useful information about Deep Canyon, and the Colorado Desert in general,
is underway. Desert biology will be the primary emphasis of this series,
which will continue the work of Mammals of Deep Canyon, by R. Mark Ryan
(1969) , and Ants of Deep Canyon, by G. C. and Jeannette Wheeler (1973).
These will be written in semi-popular style, in language suitable for use
both by biologists and the lay public.
Cooperative programs are being considered with Southern California
land developers, designed to study the impact of development of desert
land on ecosystems.
A series of limited field courses for graduate students in desert
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biology is contemplated to enhance existing programs and to provide greater
use of Deep Canyon without disturbing its relatively pristine wilderness
status.
AV
21.
VISITORS
Use of the Deep Canyon center continued to increase during the fiscal
year, although the present sign-in/sign-out registration procedure at the
gate is admittedly an imperfect method of determining this activity.
For example, sign-ins totaled 806 during the year, up from 616 in
the 1971-1972 fiscal year, and only slightly below the all-time "record" of
813 logged in 1970-1971. Inasmuch as some visitors do not sign in and
others are listed only as "and party" by the principal visitors the system
is not accurate.
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Another example, more than 60 man-days were involved in relocation
and remodeling of Palo Verde Cottage as the resident researchers quarters.
Some of the workers signed in daily; others did not.
Some research projects involve visits to the upper elevations only
and no registration is noted.
Many short-term projects particularly are not logged at all.
Nevertheless, for the benefit of those who measure success by numbers ,
here are two tables concerning visitation:
TABLE 1--Total number of visitors by months
" July 14
August 27
September 39
October 29
November 71
December 73
January 75
February 113
March 135
April 123
May 59
June 40
2 2.
TABLE 2
Origin of Visitors
University of California--Riverside, Los Angeles, Berkeley, Santa Barbara,
Davis, San Diego and Irvine.
California State Universities--San Diego and Fullerton
Other State Universities--Michigan, Utah State at Logan, Illinois, Nevada
at Reno, Wyoming.
Other U.S. Universities--Rutgers and Columbia. Pomona College.
Foreign Universities--Paris, France; Moscow, USSRi Lund, Sweden; Oxford, England.
Related Institutions--California Institute of Technology, Desert Research
r Institute at Reno, Los Angeles State-County Arboretum,
Descanso Gardens, Living Desert Reserve.
Conservation Groups--Nature Conservancy, Desert Protective Council.
Federal Agencies--Bureau of Land Management, Forest Service, Weather Service,
Geologic Survey, Fish and Wildlife Service.
State Agencies--Department of Fish and Game, Department of Parks and
0 Recreation, Division of Forestry.
County Agencies--Parks Department, Sheriff's Department, Parks Advisory
Commission, Coachella Valley County Water District.
Other Agencies--Agua Caliente Indian Tribal Council.
Museums--Malki of Morongo Indian Reservation, Desert Museum of Palm Springs.
Distinguished University Guests--President Charles Hitch, Regent Edward Carter,
Chancellor Ivan Hinderaker, Vice Chancellor
James Sullivan, Dr. Mildred Matthias.
Communications Media--U.S. Information Agency, National Broadcasting Co. ,
r Los Angeles Times, Christian Science Monitor, Time-Life
Books. Idyllwild Town Crier.
2 3.
TABLE 2A
Distinguished Visitors from the University of California
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President Charles Hitch
Regent Edward Carter
Chancellor Ivan Hinderaker
4
Vice Chancellor James Sullivan
Dr. Mildred Mathias, Los Angeles, Natural Land and Water Reserves System
Dean W. M. Dugger
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Dr. E. Barnett, Regent's Lecturer
Visiting Professors from foreign universities
Otto Lange, West Germany
Orlando Quieroz, Paris, France
Ms. Gunnar Erlandson, Lund University, Sweden
4W
24.
STAFF 11EMBERS
ame Working Title
Irwin F. Ting Director
Bill Jennings Editor-Liaison Officer
Jan Zabriskie Resident Biologist
Karen Fowler Volunteer-Mammalogist
Nancy Zabriskie Volunteer-Museum Scientist
Mrs. Fowler is the fulltime director-administrator of Living Desert)
The staff wishes to thank Mr. Philip L. Boyd, ex-Regent of the
University of California for his unfailing interest and full support.
the administrative staff of the Department of Biology, University of
California, Riverside, also provides unflagging assistance and support
for the center in innumerable ways, without which the small staff of
the center would not be able to function. Particular research and
academic support has been provided unselfishly by Saul Frommer,
Oscar Clarke and Hyrum.Johnson.
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SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
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THE PHILIP L. BOYD DEEP CANYON
DESERT RESEARCH CENTER
ANNUAL REPORT
1972-1973
UNIVRSITY OF CALIFORNIA
RIVERSIDE
1.
The year 1972-1973 was a period of change for the Philip L. Boyd
Deep Canyon Desert Research Center--changes in personnel, administrative
responsibilities - all with the goal of increasing the center's research
capabilities and use through a long-range developmental program.
Much of the change resulted from recommendations contained in the
Lewis Report of June, 1972. This document was submitted to the chancellor
by an ad hoc committee appointed by him in December, 1971. It was headed
by Dr. Lowell Lewis, associated dean for research, college of agricultural
and biological sciences.
Dr. Irwin P. Ting, professor of biology (plant physiology) at the
University of California, Riverside, was appointed director of the center
early in the year, succeeding Dr. Frank Vasek, chairman of the department
of biology, who had functioned as interim director since the resignation
of Dr. Rodolfo Ruibal in February, 1972. Dr. Ting is under the general
administrative supervision of Vice Chancellor Van L. Perkins. Deep Canyon
retains a housekeeping liaison with the biology department.
Effective July 1, Lloyd Tevis resigned as associate research specialist,
ending a long career with the center which actually pre-dated Deep Canyon's
acquisition by the university in 1958. Tevis had served with the California
Institute of Technology's desert mobile laboratory since the mid-1950s.
It was located in Deep Canyon largely through the efforts of Tevis.
Mr. Tevis has not announced his future research plans. He recently
was elected to the newly created Rancho Mirage city council and retains his
directorship in the Living Desert Association at Palm Desert. Deep Canyon
has preliminary plans to publish his manuscript about desert amphibians.
2.
Two fulltime staff members were named in February, 1973. Jan
Zabriskie, a botany graduate of Pomona College, was assigned as resident
researcher, working fulltime at the station. Bill Jennings, a graduate
of San Diego State College and veteran Riverside County newspaperman,
was assigned as principal editor, to work both at the center and at a
new office in the biology department at Riverside.
An agreement was reached with General Telephone Co. for the early
replacement of the radio-telephone with a landline telephone. Delays in
construction have resulted from engineering difficulties. The line will
be installed on the poles of the Anza Electric Cooperative, which bring
electric power to Deep Canyon from the Pinyon Flats area.
Through the generosity of Philip L. Boyd, a new housing unit was
installed during the spring to serve the resident researcher. Known as
Palo Verde Cottage, the little building was used first at Deep Well Ranch
near Palm Springs in the 1930s and in recent years at Mr. Boyd's Deep
Canyon Ranch as a guest house. It blends in with other structures at
Deep Canyon station.
Two additional travel trailers were purchased with Deep Canyon funds
to provide overnight or short-stay quarters for researchers at the station
and at the 2,700-foot elevation near Highway 74, 14 miles by road from the
canyon floor.
Early in February, a comprehensive news release detailing the 20-
year study of Deep Canyon's resources was distributed by the campus public
affairs office. It was used widely by regional newspapers and provided the
basic facts for several major feature stories, a pending magazine article
and at least two television sequences.
3.
Financial implications of this long-range program will be outlined in
a special section of this report.
Much of the preliminary portion of this 20-year study is underway,
in the nature of inventories or surveys of existing biological forms
within the 13,000 acres of the Boyd center.
The most ambitious of these is an entomological study primarily
conducted by Mr. Saul Frommer, senior museum scientist in the UCR department
of entomology. (Mr. Frommer's detailed annual report is summarized later in
this report.)
Mrs, Nancy Zabriskie, longtime associate with the Los Angeles State-
County Arboretum, continued her plant collection, identification and classi-
fication work at Deep Canyon as a volunteer. Due to a combination of timely
rainfall and warm weather, the spring produced a bounty of annual plants,
including what many desert oldtimers called the greatest display of wild-
flowers in a half-century.
Three projects under the Desert Biome portion of the U.S . International
Biological Program also contributed significantly to the Deep Canyon "inventory"
in the fields of succulent plants , nematodes and small mammals. Details of
these individual projects are listed later in this report.
Increased use of computer input, storage and retrieval is an integral
part of the long-range program. Funds for this work are part of the budget
expansion program now being proposed.
Following are some highlights of the year in several categories.
LAND ACQUISITION
Better control over environmental conditions by land acquisition
4.
continued to be a matter of major concern to Deep Canyon as to all other
units of the University-wide Natural Land and Water Reserves System (NLWRS) .
A lack of funds prevented additional land purchase to remove some of the
checkerboard patterns of privately held sections adjacent to the U.S.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) sections now under research control by
the university.
Some sections have been offered for sale but at high prices.
One significant plus came during the year, however. A new inter-
agency committee composed of federal, state and county agencies which have
concerns with the Santa Rosa Mountains desert bighorn sheep habitat was
formed, primarily at the urging of the California Department of Fish and
Game. Federal agencies involved include BLM and the U.S. Forest Service.
Other state agencies include the California Department of Parks and Recrea-
tion, the University of California and perhaps later the California Division
of Forestry. The Riverside County Parks Department and County Planning
Commission complete the list.
The new committee has several objectives of interest to Deep Canyon.
Primary among these are coordination in land acquisition, management and
disposal, in order to prevent duplication, to improve agency cooperation
and provide a common information exchange for sheep management.
The anticipated announcement this fall of a major fund drive to
enhance the NLWRS is also a hopeful development for Deep Canyon.
PHYSICAL FACILITIES
A major plant expansion program during the year included addition of
a permanent dwelling for the resident researcher, Palo Verde Cottage, a
longtime resort cottage used at both Deep Well Ranch and Deep Canyon Ranch
5.
since before World War II by Mr. Philip L. Boyd. He moved the comfortable
dwelling from Palm Desert to the Deep Canyon station at his own expense and
underwrote rehabilitation costs.
Two used travel trailers were added as temporary quarters for short-
term researchers. One, with air-conditioning and complete kitchen facilities ,
was installed between the Pomona College trailer used by Dr. William Wirtz
and the former Desert Mobile Laboratory trailer obtained from California
Institute of Technology many years ago.
The second trailer, smaller, with only desert cooling, was placed at
the upper station off Highway 74 at the 2,700-foot level. It will be used
by overnight research teams of three persons or less.
With addition of the two trailers, the center can now accomodate
upwards of eight guests in comfort and over a dozen in an emergency.
Still under construction at the end of the year was a new road and
gate access to the station, provided free by Ironwood Country Club, as Silver
Spur Associates now call their golf-tennis condominium development just north
of the center. The existing road was realigned around the eastern boundary
of Ironwood's longest golf course. A second road was graded along the perim-
eter of Coyote Canyon wash to a new gate opening a quarter-mile east of the
present gate. When compacted for two-wheel-drive vehicles, the new road
will open an undergraduate class study area outside the fence and provide an
alternate route to the station buildings.
RESEARCH PROGRESS
The Desert Biome of the U.S . International Biological Program continued
to fund three major long-range projects at Deep Canyon, although one was with-
drawn from federal support at year 's end. These included the Opuntia spp
6.
studies undertaken four years ago by Drs. Ting and Hyrum Johnson; the
continuing desert nematode survey led by Dr. Reinhold Mankau of UCR, and
Dr. Wirtz's small mammal ecological studies. The Pomona program is continuing
but Dr. Wirtz no longer receives federal assistance directly.
The other major continuing project is Dr. Jack Turner's desert bighorn
sheep (Ovis canadensis) physiology study, now in its fifth year. He received
his doctorate early in 1973 as a partial result of his work at Deep Canyon
and also received new financial support from the National Geographic Society.
Both the insect and plant collections were expanded during the year,
particularly in early spring due to a propitious combination of rainfall and
temperature that led to an unusual growth of annual plants. The resulting
wildflower display throughout the Colorado and Mohave deserts was described
as the best in the past half century.
Mrs. Zabriskie, aided by other volunteers, stepped up the rate of plant
collection, identification and classification. Her son, Jan, continued and
expanded her work to upper elevations during the early summer months. The
partial floristic list for the Deep Canyon Transect represented by specimens
in the center's herbarium totaled 356 species by the end of the fiscal year.
The total number of mounted specimens in the herbarium reached 684.
Duplicates are now being collected to indicate seasonal, population and
individual differences for a species as well as to facilitate identification
of plants for related research. A need for additional herbarium space is
noted.
Jan Zabriskie established three permanent plant quadrats, each 100
meters square, to determine seasonal and long-term changes , as part of the
20-year study. Data for density, relative frequency and cover have been
accumulated. Two quadrats are near the station at the 1,000-foot elevation,
7.
one in Coyote Canyon, the other in Sheep Canyon. The third is at the 2,700-
foot elevation near the upper site weather station near Highway 74.
Zabriskie also installed three additional recording weather stations
to complement the existing station near the laboratory, which also has been
expanded. Shelters at the mouth of Deep Canyon gorge and Sheep Canyon each
contain rain gauges and hygrothermographs to record (on a seven-day clock)
temperature and relative humidity. The upper site shelter includes a two-
point thermograph for surface and subsurface temperature as well as a hygro-
thermograph and rain gauge. The hygrothermeter, pyrheliometer and rain gauge
at the station site have been supplemented by a dew meter, microbarograph,
evaporimeter and a two-point thermograph, all recording with seven-day clock
mechanisms.
The result, for the first time, is accurate and relatively complete
weather information for three separate locations in the center. one.
At the fiscal year's end, Mrs. Zabriskie was completing a cross-index
file for the herbarium; reorganizing the herbarium, with labeled family and
genus folders , and continuing the collection of plants from the transmontane
slopes of the San Jacinto and Santa Rosa mountains.
Progress reports for the three Desert Biome-IBP projects are on file
at the Deep Canyon office, along with copies of Dr. Turner's dissertation
and Saul Frommer's annual entomological collection report. Some copies of
these documents are available on request.
As an additional zoological project, Dr. Turner completed an environ-
mental study for Palm Springs Atajo, a large-scale residential and recreational
development in the Haystack-Asbestos mountains section of the Santa Rosas. He
was assisted during the summer by Peg Merritt, a UCR undergraduate zoology
student, primarily funded by the Atajo developers.
8.
Dr. Turner is now on the zoology faculty at the University of Wyoming,
Laramie, but continues to monitor the bighorn study with the assistance of
Karen Fowler, director of Living Desert Reserve near the center at Palm
Desert.
PUBLICATIONS-PUBLIC RELATIONS
Selected, special-interest groups continued to visit Deep Canyon during
the year, on invitation only. The pace of newspaper, magazine and television
coverage continued to increase, highlighted by the birth of a bighorn sheep
ram lamb on Easter Sunday.
Mr. Jennings prepared the manuscript of Ants of Deep Canyon, by Drs.
G. C. and Jeanette Wheeler of the University of Nevada Desert Research
Institute. It was expected to be off the press by mid-fall, as the second
book in an anticipated series of science-popular books on the center's
resources and research. The first was Mark Ryan's Mammals of Deep Canyon,
published by the Palm Springs Desert Museum in 1968.
Subsequent publications under consideration include Lloyd Tevis '
Paradoxes of the Desert: Toad, Frog and Salamander. This is not expected to
be a full length book due to the limited nature of its subject matter.
Also in preliminary stages are a comprehensive history of Deep Canyon,
requested by Chancellor Ivan Hinderaker, and a general-interest book with the
tentative title: Deep Canyon, A Desert Wilderness for Science.
A New York writer also is attempting to "sell" a desert environmental
book to Time-Life Books, with Deep Canyon as a central point for his theme.
In addition, Dr. Turner anticipates a manuscript for National Geographic
Magazine at the conclusion of his long-range sheep study.
The major publicity development during the year was preparation of a
9.
five-minute television tape show for worldwide distribution by the U.S.
Information Agency.
Attached are summary reports of publications/scientific paper presenta-
tions ; analysis of visitor registrations; research projects, and a partial
listing of future objectives and financial requirements.
10.
RESEARCH PROJECTS
(Number after description is estimate of man-days involved.)
Desert Biome--U.S . International Biological Program
Mankau, R. (and others) . The biology of nematodes in desert
ecosystems. UCR. 12
Ting, I. P. (and others) . Gas exchange and productivity for
Opuntia spp. UCR. 150
Wirtz, William 0. II. Ecology of ground squirrels and kangaroo
rats. Pomona College. 80
Frommer, Saul. (and others) . Continuing insect survey. UCR. 25 * +
Tabet, Ali. Phenological study of bombyliid populations in Deep
Canyon.UCR. 60
Turner, Jack (and others). Continuing physiological study of desert
bighorn sheep. UCR. 60 *
Skjold, H. E. Water hydrology of Deep Canyon. U.S . Geological Survey 6
Zabriskie, Nancy (and others) . Collection and classification of
plants ; revision of floristic list;
reorganization of herbarium, files. UCR. 40 * +
Lawton, Harry and Phil Wilke. Aboriginal agriculture. UCR. 6
Jones, Ronald. Water turnover study in black-throated sparrow. UCR. 4
Walsberg, Glenn. Ecological study of Phainopepla nitens. UCLA, 5
Krout, Douglas. Non-symbiotic bacterial nitrogen fixation in desert
soils. CSU-SD. 9
Tevis, Lloyd. Desert amphibians (preparatory for publication) UCR. 36
Kitasako, John. Biological survey, Palm Hills annexation area. UCR . 6
Zabriskie, Jan. Plant collection, seed collection in several transects
in Deep Canyon area. 25
* Research financed totally, or in part by Deep Canyon funds.
+ This does not include many man-hours spent at UCR on this project.
11.
SUMMARIES OF MAJOR RESEARCH PROJECTS
DESERT BIOME
Gas Exchange and Productivity for Opuntia Spp.
Irwin P. Ting, Project Leader
H. B. Johnson, T. A. Yonkers
and S. R. Szarek
Annual rates of productivity have decreased for the cholla
cactus, 0. acanthocarpa and 0. biglovii. Such results appear to be
directly related to a 19-month period of very arid conditions at
Deep Canyon. (Editor's note: This report was prepared prior to the
spring of 1973.)
During periods of dry, arid conditions stomata remained closed
throughout the 24-hour day. Cuticular resistances exceeded 600 sec/cm for
the three Opuntia species, such that 14CO2 uptake cannot be measured. The
day/night fluctuation in stem tissue acidity is low and quite predictable.
This study began at Deep Canyon in 1971 and is continuing into the
1973-1974 fiscal year. Deep Canyon was chosen for the research site because
of the comparative abundance of Opuntia Spp. in the research station and
adjoining areas of the Colorado Desert. The three species under study are
0. acanthocarpa, 0. biglovii and 0. basilaris.
The Deep Canyon study complements the work of Duncan Patten at
Arizona State University, Tempe.
During the current year, the Deep Canyon study will include
further investigation of the responses of the three Opuntia species to
environmental parameters.
12.
SUMMARIES OF RESEARCH PROJECTS (Continued)
DESERT BIOME
Natural Activity in Patterns and Thermal Experience
in Dipodomys merriami
W. 0. Wirtz, II, Project Leader
and D. V. Brown
Objectives of this study (which began in 1970) were to document
by biotelemetric techniques the natural activity patterns and thermal
experiences of Dipodomys merriami (Merriam kangaroo rat) in the Colorado
Desert, a major division of the Sonoran Desert.
A series of technical difficulties hampered Dr. Wirtz's efforts
to perfect functional telemetric equipment. A year's demographic data
on the species and associated Deep Canyon rodents was obtained, along
with corollary measurements of temperature in burrows, surface and air
conditions. Activity patterns of kangaroo rats under simulated desert
summer and winter conditions were examined in the laboratory at Pomona.
Early in 1970 the project leader began working with General Dynamics ,
at Pomona, on the design of biotelemetric techniques for monitoring small
rodent forms. By late 1971 functional models were "breadboarded."
Despite this good start no transmitters were available for the project
by 1972.
Work during the fiscal year, therefore, was somewhat hampered.
Dr. Wirtz began work in December, 1972, on an alternate telemetry system.
During the current year he plans to refine the use of this equipment for
securing necessary information on natural activity patterns and thermal
experience.
13.
SUPE,i`,RTES OF RESEARCH PROJECTS (Continued)
UCR- 'Rational Geographic Society
Continuing physiological studies of Desert Bighorn Sheep
(Ovis canadensis)
This study is conducted by Dr. Jack Turner, now a zoology instructor
at the University of Wyoming, Laramie. He began his field work at Deep
Canyon and in surrounding sheep habitat in the Santa Rosa Mountains as
a graduate student in 1969 and continues his project with student help
this ,year, although his duties at Laramie preclude other than summer
and short-term field studies personally.
To date, Dr. Turner's primary publication has been his own
dissertation, entitled "`dater, Energy and Electrolyte Balance in the
Desert Bighorn Sheep, Ovis canadensis." He also is preparing manuscript
data for consideration by National Geographic Society for publication in
its worldwide monthly magazine, as a consideration of the grant.
The desert bighorn, subspecies Ovis canadensis cremnobates Elliot,
is the largest naturally occuring mammal in the Colorado Desert. Dr.
Turner's studies, on captive animals at Living Desert reserve ne--.r the
Deep Canyon station, and on free ranging animals in the Santa Rosa
range, involve monitoring physiological and behavioral functions with
radio collars, remote sensor telemetry gear and more conventional
laboratory and visual methods. He works in full cooperation with the State
Department of Fish and Game, which has had total responsibility for this
protected species under state law since 1873• Without the department's
express consent, and enabling state law, Dr. Turner's work would not be
possible.
14.
SUMMARIES OF RESEARCH PROJECTS (Continued)
UCR-Department of Entomology
Continuing entomological survey, collection and
Classification in the Deep Canyon Transect
Saul Frommer, Project Leader
The entomological survey for the Philip L. Boyd Deep Canyon Desert
Research Center has been underway since the mid-1.960s, first under the
direction of Dr. Evert I. Schlinger (now on the faculty of UC, Berkeley)
and for the past several years led by Saul Frommer, senior museum scientist
for the department.
(Because of the detailed nature of Mr. Frommer's report, it is not
included as an appendix to this annual statement but is available on
request.)
During the year, Mr. Frommer continued the preparation, identification
and storage of heretofore collected arthropod materials; gathered additional
materials, particularly plentiful because of the aforementioned spring
conditions of rainfall, plant growth and temperatures.
He continued the development of a data storage and retreival program
for the Deep Canyon arthrop fauna.
Specific research was conducted on the dipterous families Bombyliidae,
Chamaemyiidae and Chironomidae.
He was assisted in many ways by Dr. John Pinto, Dr. Peter Rauch (at
Berkeley) , Ali Tabet (UCR graduate student) and Phil McNally (undergraduate) .
With the help of Lloyd Tevis, Mr. Frommer also conducted a site survey
of the lower Deep Canyon gorge, from the Zero marker to Thunderbird pool.
15.
PUBLICATIONS
(Including papers delivered at seminars, symposiums, etc.)
Lynch, Timothy, Rodolfo Ruibal and Lloyd Tevis. 1973. Birds of a cattle
feedlot in the Southern California desert. California Agriculture,
27(3) : 4-6.
Oechel, W. C. , B. R. Strain and W. R. Odening. 1972. Photosynthetic rates of
a desert shrub, Larrea divaricata Cay. , under field conditions. Photosynthetica
6(2) : 183-188.
Oechel, W. C. , B. R. Strain and W. R. Odening. 1972. Tissue water potential
photosynthesis, 14C-labeled photosythate utilization and growth in the
desert shrub, Larrea divaricata Cay. Ecological Monographs 42:127-142. Spring 1972.
Szarek, Stan R. , Hyrum B. Johnson and I. P. Ting, 1973. Drought adaptation
in 0 untia basilaris : significance of recycling carbon through crassulacean
acid metabolism. Plant Physiology (in press).
Ting, I. P. Carbon metabolism in plants. What's New in Plant Physiology
5(3) : 4 pp. 1973.
Ting, I. P. , Physiological adaptation to water stress in desert plants.
Paper presented at Physiological Adaptation Symposium, American Institute of
Biological Science meeting, June, 1973. (to be published).
Ting, I. P. , Hyrum B. Johnson and Stan R. Szarek. 1972. Net CO fixation in
crassulacean acid metabolism plants. Proceedings of Southern Section,
American Society of Plant Physiologists/Cotton, Inc. :26-53.
16.
PUBLICATIONS (Continued)
Ting, I. P. , Hyrum Johnson and Stan R. Szarek. 1973. Gas exchange and
productivity for Opuntia spp. Paper presented at International
Biological Program Conference, Wales, April, 1973. (to be published in
proceedings).
Turner, J. C. 1972. Water, energy and electrolyte balance in desert
bighorn sheep Ovis canadensis). Ph.D. Thesis, University of California,
Riverside. 132 p.
17.
FUTURE OBJECTIVES---FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS
Students of previous annual reports for the Philip L. Boyd Deep Canyon
Desert Research Center will recall a number of recurring concerns expressed
by the authors, who generally were identified as chairmen of the control
committee within the department of biology.
Appointment of Deep Canyon's first independent director (who reports
to the vice chancellor directly) has not changed any of these concerns,
although it permits perhaps a better articulation and expression of them.
First, there remains the primary problem of land acquisition in order
to protect the fragile environment, particularly pressing in 1973 due to
increased private land speculation and/or development in the previously
thought inaccessible Santa Rosa Mountains. The recommendation remains the
same as in previous years--acquisition of inholding privately-owned land
sections , particularly the three immediately south of the Deep Canyon
station laboratory.
A permanent endowment fund to support expanding research remains a
major objective.
Expanded budget funds to support both increased research and to
provide additional support staff personnel and facilities needed to provide
a base for such research.
In that line, the needs include housing, improved domestic water
retrieval and storage; additional jeep roads and trails, particularly
upper elevation areas; a third laboratory and accompanying storage space;
additional utilities, including electricity, telephone, natural gas or
propane, sewerage and parking facilities.
18.
To accomplish the 20-year study plan announced during the fiscal year,
these things are mandatory, along with computer input, storage and retrieval
capacity to serve researchers anywhere in the world who wish to use Deep
Canyon's store of knowledge, either by computer or as preliminary informa-
tion for their future research studies.
A Preliminary and tentative budget expansion proposal is being prepared
for submission in order that Deep Canyon's needs for future growth can be met.
The budget request is being prepared with care so as not to handicap or
inhibit any requests for on-campus research facilities at Riverside.
The staff is continuing to explore ways and means of securing additional,
supplemental funding from sources outside the university, to support current
and contemplated future research discussed in the next section of this report.
19.
PROPOSED AND/OR ANTICIPATED MAJOR PROGRAMS
The director proposes a seminar-symposium series on an alternate-year
basis to cover important and current aspects of desert biology. A proposal
for the first is now being prepared.
A joint Australian-U.S. comparative desert program is now in the
proposal stage, both at UCR and at the Australian National University in
Canberra. The physiology and biochemistry of desert succulents native to
the American deserts and naturalized in much of Australia will be studied.
A cooperative graduate-student program between Deep Canyon and the
University of Coahuila, Mexico, has been proposed through the Dry-Lands
Research Institute, UCR. It would emphasize greater use of cactus as
animal fodder and human food in the southern republic.
Also proposed is a computer storage-retrieval plan for phenological
data in which seasonal changes in biomass, species, etc. , will be followed.
The Deep Canyon "five-foot shelf" of books containing practical and
useful information about Deep Canyon, and the Colorado Desert in general,
is underway. Desert biology will be the primary emphasis of this series,
which will continue the work of Mammals of Deep Canyon, by R. Mark Ryan
(1969) , and Ants of Deep Canyon, by G. C. and Jeannette Wheeler (1973).
These will be written in semi-popular style, in language suitable for use
both by biologists and the lay public.
Cooperative programs are being considered with Southern California
land developers, designed to study the impact of development of desert
land on ecosystems.
A series of limited field courses for graduate students in desert
20.
biology is contemplated to enhance existing programs and to provide greater
use of Deep Canyon without disturbing its relatively pristine wilderness
status.
21.
VISITORS
Use of the Deep Canyon center continued to increase during the fiscal
year, although the present sign-in/sign-out registration procedure at the
gate is admittedly an imperfect method of determining this activity,
For example, sign-ins totaled 806 during the year, up from 616 in
the 1971-1972 fiscal year, and only slightly below the all-time "record" of
813 logged in 1970-1971. Inasmuch as some visitors do not sign in and
others are listed only as "and party" by the principal visitors the system
is not accurate.
Another example, more than 60 man-days were involved in relocation
and remodeling of Palo Verde Cottage as the resident researcher's quarters.
Some of the workers signed in daily; others did not.
Some research projects involve visits to the upper elevations only
and no registration is noted.
Many short-term projects particularly are not logged at all.
Nevertheless, for the benefit of those who measure success by numbers ,
here are two tables concerning visitation:
TABLE 1--Total number of visitors by months
July 14
August 27
September 39
October 29
November 71
December 73
January 75
February 113
March 135
April 123
May 59
June 40
22.
TABLE 2
Origin of Visitors
University of California--Riverside, Los Angeles, Berkeley, Santa Barbara,
Davis, San Diego and Irvine.
California State Universities--San Diego and Fullerton
Other State Universities--Michigan, Utah State at Logan, Illinois, Nevada
at Reno, Wyoming.
Other U.S. Universities--Rutgers and Columbia. Pomona College.
Foreign Universities--Paris, France; Moscow, USSR; Lund, Sweden; Oxford, England.
Related Institutions--California Institute of Technology, Desert Research
Institute at Reno, Los Angeles State-County Arboretum,
Descanso Gardens, Living Desert Reserve.
Conservation Groups--Nature Conservancy, Desert Protective Council.
Federal Agencies--Bureau of Land Management, Forest Service, Weather Service,
Geologic Survey, Fish and Wildlife Service.
State Agencies--Department of Fish and Game, Department of Parks and
Recreation, Division of Forestry.
County Agencies--Parks Department, Sheriff's Department, Parks Advisory
Commission, Coachella Valley County Water District.
Other Agencies--Agua Caliente Indian Tribal Council.
Museums--Malki of Morongo Indian Reservation, Desert Museum of Palm Springs.
Distinguished University Guests--President Charles Hitch, Regent Edward Carter,
Chancellor Ivan Hinderaker, Vice Chancellor
James Sullivan, Dr. Mildred Matthias.
Communications Media--U.S. Information Agency, National Broadcasting Co. ,
Los Angeles Times, Christian Science Monitor, Time-Life
Books. Idyllwild Town Crier.
23.
TABLE 2A
Distinguished Visitors from the University of California
President Charles Hitch
Regent Edward Carter
Chancellor Ivan Hinderaker
Vice Chancellor James Sullivan
Dr. Mildred Mathias, Los Angeles, Natural Land and Water Reserves System
Dean W. M. Dugger
Dr. E. Barnett, Regent's Lecturer
Visiting Professors from foreign universities
Otto Lange, West Germany
Orlando Quieroz, Paris, France
Ms. Gunnar Erlandson, Lund University, Sweden
24.
STAFF PEMBERS
Name Working Title
Irwin P. Ting Director
Bill Jennings Editor-Liaison Officer
Jan Zabriskie Resident Biologist
Karen Fowler Volunteer-rlammalogist
Nancy Zabriskie Volunteer-Museum Scientist
(# Mrs. Fowler is the fulltime director-administrator of Living Desert)
The staff wishes to thank Mr. Philip L. Boyd, ex-Regent of the
University of California for his unfailing interest and full support.
the administrative staff of the Department of Biology, University of
California, Riverside, also provides unflagging assistance and support
for the center in innumerable ways, without which the small staff of
the center would not be able to function. Particular research and
academic support has been provided unselfishly by Saul Frommer,
Oscar Clarke and Hyrum.Johnson.
Philip L. Boyd Deep Canyon
Desert Research Center
f
1 � a.
17$ ^ 4
ONE
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Valley Studios,Hemet
I
This aerial photograph, from about 6,000 feet, was taken by Walter E. Frisbie, Hemet
commercial photographer. It shows the station buildings at the 950-foot elevation near the
L
lower left corner. Deep Canyon Creek swings sharply north below the buildings, at the toe
of Sheep Mountain. The canyon continues to the right (south) upstream into the lower
gorge near the upper right corner of the picture. Jeep trails and the main road are barely
discernible.
FLORISTIC LIST FOR
DEEP CANYON WATERSHED
OCTOBER 1973
INTRODUCTION
This is a current, partial floristic list for the Deep Canyon
watershed, in two sections, compiled from previous lists and augmented
by field observation and collection. It is nearly complete for the
area from 400 feet to 3,600 feet, or from the mouth of the canyon to
the merger zone of desert vegetation with the chaparral, evergreen trees
and shrubs. The list includes all plant species known to occur in the
Deep Canyon watershed. Those species not represented by Deep Canyon
herbarium specimens are noted with an asterisk.
The second section includes herbarium specimens taken from the
Deep Canyon watershed above 3,600 feet. This section is less complete
because of the minimal amount of collecting that has been done at
higher elevations.
In time, as herbarium facilities improve and field collecting
expands, the list will be upgraded periodically. The goal is to
present an accurate floristic list, on a continually growing basis.
Family, genera and species are listed alphabetically. Nomenclature
follows Munz and Keck's A California Flora, UC Press, 1959, and Munz's
Supplement to a California Flora, UC Press, 1968.
PHYSIOGRAPHY
The Deep Canyon watershed drains a major area of the north and
east slopes of the Santa Rosa Mountains. This peninsular subrange is
_ Z ..
of recent geologic origin, made up of highly metamorphosed sedimen-
tary rock further deformed by igneous intrusion. The watershed
comprises 40.70 square miles with a northerly elevation fall of
8,000 feet in 11.75 aerial miles from Toro Peak (8,716 feet) to
i
the alluvial plain near Palm Desert.
Deep and Horsethief creeks begin as small. gullies on the steep
upper slopes. At 4,000 feet these slopes level. abruptly to a low-
relief plateau which gradually drops to about 2,500 feet. Each
watercourse cuts through the plateau in arroyos that join at the
2,800-foot elevation. The descending plateau is broken by three
promonotories, Sheep Mountain (5,141 feet) , Sugarloaf (4,776 feet)
and Black Hill (3,689) .
At their confluence the two ephemeral , intermittent streams
enter a steep-walled gorge that bends 90 degrees northerly and drops
precipitously through a chasm created by geologic faulting and deepened
by subsequent erosion. Vertical walls in places are more than 1,400
feet high, effectively isolating the canyon floor from the plateau
above.
At approximately 1,300 feet elevation the gorge widens about
the apex of a huge alluvial fan. The Deep Canyon fan and several
others to the east and west blend into the alluvial plan.
CLIMATE
Climatic characteristics are high summer temperature, low and
- i.i -
erratic rainfall and strong vernal winds. Rainfall data from the
Deep Canyon station (950 feet) show an 11-year annual average of
3.95 inches. Most rain occurs in winter storms that penetrate the
rain shadow created by mountains to the west. Summer thunderstorms
are localized heavy downpours of short duration, often causing flash
flooding.
Daily maximum temperatures for the month of July over a six-
year period averaged 101 degrees. On the floor of the Coachella
Valley, which varies from 475 feet at Palm Springs to -185 feet at
Mecca, rainfall averages slightly less and the temperature range is
much greater, with a record high at Indio (-22 feet) of 125 degrees and
a low of 13 degrees there, 11 miles east of the center.
At the canyon's higher elevations temperatures are lower and
precipitation greater, frequently in the form of winter snow. The
daytime temperature difference between the 950-foot level and the
2,750-foot level averages 9.8 degrees.
The following weather records are from the Deep Canyon station
950 feet.
AVERAGE DAILY MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM TEMPERATURES FOR EACH MONTH, 1968-1973
Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. Yr. Av.
69
65 69 73 77 88 95 101 99 94 83 72 64 82
50 54 57 59 68 74 81 80 76 67 57 49 64
ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM/MINIMUM TEMPERATURES FOR EACH MONTH, 1968-1973
Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May . June July Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.
85 84 93 94 105 116 116 112 108 98 89 80
29 41 39 44 50 54 68 62 60 48 42 32
AVERAGE PRECIPITATION (inches) FOR EACH MONTH (1963-1973)
Ann.
Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May. Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec. Avg.
0. 24 0.30 0.47 0.17 0.07 0.03 0.32 0.47 0.31 0. 23 0.75 0.59 3. 95
Driest year: 1971, 1.37 inches precipitation
Wettest year: 1965, 8.05 inches precipitation
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This list was compiled by and material for the explanatory text
provided by Jan Zabriskie, resident researcher at Deep Canyon. Additional
collection and identification were provided by Nancy Zabriskie, museum
scientist for the center. Earlier plant collection and identification
were by Oscar Clarke, Saul Frommer, Lloyd Tevis, John Olmsted, Dr.
Boyd Strain and others.
-iv -
FLORISTIC LIST FOR DESERT SLOPES AND
FLOODPLAIN OF DEEP CANYON WATERSHED
OCTOBER 1973
CHAROPHYTA
Chara sp.
LEPIDOPHYTA
SF.LAGINELLACEAE
elagineUa eremophila Maxon. Little club-moss
PTEROPHYTA Ferns
PTERIDACEAE
A_diantum capMus-veneris L. Common maidenhair
Cheilanthes coviZZei Maxon. Lip fern
C. parryi (D.C. Eat.) Domin. Cloak fern
Pe Uaea mucronata D. C. Eat. Bird's foot fern
CONIFEROPHYTA Cone-bearing plants
CUPRESSACEAE Cypress family
,Iuniperu:, caZifornica Carr. Juniper
EPHEDRACEAE Ephedra family
Ephedra aspera Engelm. ex Wats. Mexican tea
E. nevadensis [,rats.
Ephedra sp.
PINACEAE Pine family
Pinus monophylla Torr. & Frem. Pinyon.
ANTHOPHYTA Angiosperms
DICOTYLEDONEAE Dicots
ACANTHACEAE Acanthus family
- 1 -
BeZoperonc caZifoiiii.ca Benth. Chuparosa
AMARANTHACEAF. Amaranth family
Amaranthus fimbriatus (Torr.) Benth. Amaranth
Tidestromia cbZongifoZia (Wats.) Small. Honey sweet
ANACARDIACEAE Sumac family
Rhus ovata Wats. Sugarbush
R. triZobata Nutt. Cx T. & G. var. anisophylla (Greene) Jeps.Squaw bush
ASCLEPIADACEAE Milkweed family
AscZepias aZbicans Wats. White-stemmed milkweed
MateZea parvifoZia (Torr.) Woodson. Talayote
Sarcostemma cynanchoides Dene. ssp. Hartwegii (Vail) R. Holm.
Climbing milkweed
S. hirtellum (Gray) R. Holm. Rambling milkweed
BETULACF.AE Birch family
AZnus rhombifoZia Nutt. White alder
BIGNONIACEAE Bignonia family
ChiZopsis Zinearis (Car.) Sweet. Desert willow
BORAGINACEAE Borage family
Amsinckia tessellata Gray. Fiddleneck
Cryptantha angustifoZia (Torr.) Greene. Forget-me-not
C. barbigera (Gray) Greene.
0. decipiens (Jones) Heller.
C. maritima (Greene) Greene.
C. micrantha (Torr.) Jtn.
C. nevadensis Nels. & Kenn.
C. pterocarya (Torr.) Greene.
C. racemosa (Wats.) Greene.
- 2 -
C. utahensis (Gray) Greene.
Pectocarya Zinearis var. ferocula Jtn.
*P. pZatycarpa (M. & J.) M. & J.
P. recurvata Jtn. Comb bur
PZagiobothrys jonesii Gray. Popcorn flower
BUXACEAE Box family
Simmondsia, chinensis (Link) C. K. Schneid. Coatnut
CACTACEAE Cactus family
Eehiroeaetus acanthodes Lem. Barrel cactus
E,chinocereus engeZmannii (Parry) Ruempl. Hedgehog cactus
Mammillaria dioica K. Bog. Fishook cactus
M. tetrancistra Engelm.
Opuntia aeanthoearpa Engelm. & Bigel. Buckhorn cactus
0. basilaris Engelm. & Bigel. Beavertail cactus
0. bigeZovii Engelm. Jumping cholla
0. ehlorotiea Engelm. & Bigel. Pancake cactus
0. eehinoearpa Engelm. & Bigel. Golden cholla
0. ramosissima Engelm. & Bigel. Pencil cactus
CAMPANULACEAE Bellflower family
NemacZadus gZanduliferus Jeps. Thread plant
N. rubescens Greene var. tenuis McVaugh.
CAPPARIDACEAE Caper family
Isomeris arborea Nutt. Bladderpod
CARYOPHYLLACEAE Pink family
Achyronychi,a cooperi T. & G. Frost mat
CHENOPODIACEAE Goosefoot family
- 3 --
Atriplex canescens (Pursh) Nutt. ssp. Zinearis (Wats.)
Hall & Clements. Wingscale
A. poZyearpa (Torr.) Wats. Cattle spinach
A. semibaccata R. Br. Australian saltbush
Chenopodium fremontii Wats. Pigweed
Salsola pestifera A. Nels. Russian thistle, Tumbleweed
COMPOSITAE Sunflower family
Acamptopappus sphaerocephalus (Hare. & Gray) Gray Goldenhead
Ambrosia acanthicarpa Hook. Sandbur
A. dumosa (Gray) Payne. Burrobush
A. psilostachya D. C. Ragweed
Anisocoma acaulis T. & G. Scale bud
Artemisia Zudovieiana Nutt. ssp. albula ([loot.) Keck. Wormwood
Baccharis brachyphylla Gray.
B. glutinosa Pers. Seep-willow
B. sergiloides Gray. Sauaw waterweed
B. viminea DC. Mule fat
Bebbia juncea (Benth.) Greene. Sweetbush
Brickellia arguta Rob. Brickellbush
L'. californica (T.& G.) Gray.
B. desertorum Cov.
Chaenactis carphoclinia Gray. Pincushion
C. fremontii Gray.
C. xantiana Gray.
Chrysothamnus teretifoZius (Dur. & Hilg.) Hall.
Cirsium sp. Thistle
Conyza canadensis (L.) Cronq. Horseweed
- 4 -
Dieoria canescens T. & G. Bugseed
Dyssodia porophylloides Gray.
Fncelia farinosa Gray. Incienso
E. virginensis A. Nels. ssp. actoni (Elmer) Keck.
Eriophyllum ambiguum (Gray.) Gray. Yellowfrocks
E. confertifZorum (DC.) Gray. Long-stemmed eriophyllum
E. wallacei (Gray) Gray.
Filago arizonica Gray.
F. caZifornica Nutt.
Geraea canescens T.& G. Desert sunflower
Gutierrezia sarothrae (Pursh) Britt. & Rusby.
HapZopappus cuneatus Gray. Goldenbush
H. ZinearifoZius DC. Goldenbush
Hofineisteria pZuriseta Gray. Arrowleaf
HymenocZea salsola T.& G. Cheesebush
Laetuea serriola L. Prickly lettuce
MaZacothrix gZabrata Gray. Desert dandelion
M. stebbinsii Daris & Raren.
Microseris ZinearifoZia (Nutt) Sch-Bip. Silver puffs
MonoptiZon bellioides (Gray) Hall. Desert star
PaZafoxia Zinearis (Car.) Lag. Spanish needle
Peetis papposa Harv. & Gray ex Gray. Cinch weed
PerityZe emoryi Torr. in Emory. Rock daisy
l'eucephyllum schottii (Gray) Cray. I)esert fir
Pluchea sericea (Nutt.) Cov. Arrow weed
Porophyllum graciZe Benth. Poreleaf
Psathyrotes ramosissima (Torr.) Gray. Desert velvet
- 5 -
Rafinesquia californiea Nutt. Chicory
N. neomexicana Gray.
Senecio douglasii DC. Groundsel
Sonchus oleraceus L. Sow-thistle
Stephanomeria exigua Nutt. Annual mitra
S. paucifZora (Torr.) Nutt. Desert-straw
*StyZocZine gnaphaZoides Nutt.
Trichoptilium incisum (Gray) Gray. Yellowhead
Trixis caZiforniea Kell.
Viguiera deltoidea Gray. var. parishii (Greene) Vasey & Rose
Golden eye
CRASSULACEAE Stonecrop family
DudZeya arizonica Rose. Broad-leaved live-forever
DudZeya saxosa (Jones) Britt. & Rose ssp. aloides (Rose) Moran
Narrow-leaved live-forever
Ti Naea erecta H. & A. Pigmy weed
CROSSOSOMATACEAF Crossosoma family
Crossosoma bigeZovii Wats. Rockflower
CRUCIFERAE Mustard family
Arabic perennans Wats. Rock cress
Brassica tournefortii Govan.
Caulanthus cooperi (Wats.) Pays.
C. hallii Pays.
Descurainia pinnata (Walt.) Britton ssp. glabra (Woot. & Standl.)
Detl. Tansy mustard
Dithyrea caZifornica Harr. Spectable pod
Draba cuneifoZia Nutt. ex T.& G. var. integrifolia [eats.
- 6 -
Lepidium Zasiocarpum Futt. Peppergrass
Sisymbrium irio L. London rocket
Streptanthe Ua Zongirostris (Wats.) Rydb. Twist flower
TheZypodium Zasiophy Uum (II.& A.) Greene. var. utahensis
(Pydb.) Jeps.
Thysanocarpus curvipes Hook. var. eradiatus Jeps.
CUCURBITACEAE Gourd family
Brandegea bigeZovii (Wats.) Cogn.
Cucurbita paZmata Wats. Wild gourd
CUSCUTACEAE
Cuscuta denticulata Engelm. Dodder
ERICACEAE Heath family
ArctostaphyZos gZauca Lindl. Manzanita
EUPHORBIACEAE Spurge family
Bernardia incana Mort. Mouse eye
Ditaxis Zaneeolata (Benth.) Pax & K. Hoffm. Silver bush
D. neomexicana (Muell.-Arg.) Heller.
Euphorbia aZbomarginata T.& G. Rattlesnake weed
E. eriantha Benth. Desert poinsettia
E. micromera Boiss.
E. poZycarpa Benth. Sand mat
F. revoluta Engelm.
E. .:,etiZoba Engelm.
E. supina Raf.
Stillingia ZinearifoZia Wats.
FAGACEAE Beech family
Quercus dumosa Nutt. Scrub oak
- 7 -
FOUQUIERIACEAE Ocotillo family
Fouquieria splendens Engelm. Ocotillo
GENTIANACEAE Gentian family
Centaurium venustum (Gray) Rob.
GERANIACEAE Geranium family
Erodium cicutarium (L.) L'Her. Filaree
E. texanum Gray.
HYDROPHYLLACEAE Waterleaf family
Emmenanthe penduZifZora Benth. Whispering bells
Eriodictyon trichocaZyx Heller. Yerba santa
Eucrypta chrysanthemifolia (Benth.) Greene. var. bipi.nnatifida
(Tory.) Const.
E. micrantha (Torr.) Heller.
Nama demissum Gray. Purple mat
Phacelia affinis Gray.
P. campanularia Gray.
P. crenulata Torr.
P. cryptantha Greene.
P. distans Benth.
P. fremontii Torr.
P. Zemmonii Gray.
P. pedicellata Gray.
PhoZistoma membranaceum (Benth.) Const.
KRAMERIACEAE Krameria family
Krameria grayi Rose & Painter.
K. parvifoZia Benth. var. imparata Macbr.
- 8 -
LABITAE Mint family
Hyptis emoryi Torr. Desert lavendar
Monardella Zinoides Gray. Narrow-leaved monardella
SaZazaria mexicana Torr. Bladder sage
SaZvia apiana Jeps. var. compacta Munz. White sage
S. columbariae Benth. Chia
S. eremostachya Jeps. Sand sage
S. vaseyi (Porter) Parish. Bristle sage
Stachys aZbens Gray.
LEGUMINOSAE Pea family
Acacia greggii Gray. Catclaw
Amorpha fruticosa L. var. occidenta"l.is (Abrams) Kearn. & Peeb.
AstragaZus aridus Gray. Locoweed
A. coccineus Bdg. Scarlet locoweed
Cassia covesii Gray. Senna
Cercidium fZoridum Benth. Palo verde
DaZea emoryi Gray. Dyeweed
D. mollis Benth. Silk dalea
D. mollissima (Rydb.) Munz.
D. parryi T.& G.
D. schottii Torr. Indigo bush
0. spinosa Gray. Smoke tree
Hoffmannseggia mierophylla Torr. Rush pea
Lotus heermannii (Dur. & Hilg.) Greene.
*L. humistratus Greene.
L. nevadensis Greene.
L. rigidus (Benth.) Greene. Rock pea
- 9 -
L. salsuginosus Greene. var. brevivexillus Ottley.
L. scoparius (Nutt. in T.& G.) Ottley var. breviaZatus
Ottley. Deer weed
L, tom..te Nus Greene.
Lupinus arizonieus (Wats.) Wats. Lupine
L. concinnus J.G. Agardh. var. orcuttii (Wats.) C.P. Sm.
L. shockleyi Wats.
McZiZotus indieus (L.) All. Sweet clover
Prosopis gZanduZosa Torr. var. torreyana (L. Benson) M.C. Jtn.
Mesquite
LOASACEAE Loasa family
M�,`tzelia aZbicaulis Dougl. ex Hook. Blazing star
M. involucrata Wats.
Petalonyx thurberi Gray. Sandpaper plant
LORANTHACEAE Mistletoe family
Phoradendron boZZeanum (Seem.) Eichler ssp. densum (Torn.)
Wiens. Juniper mistletoe
P. caZifornicum Nutt. Desert mistletoe
LYTHRACEAE
Lythrum caZifornicum T.& G.
MALVACEAE Mallow family
L'remalche rotundifoZia (Gray) Greene. Desert five-spat
Hibiscus denadatus Benth. Desert hibiscus
SphaeraZcea ambigua Gray. Desert mallow
S. ambigua Gray. ssp. rosaeea (M.& J.) Kearn.
- 10 -
NYCTAGINACEAE Four o'clock family
Abronia viZZosa Wats. Sand verbena
Allionia incarnata L. Windmills
Boerhaavia erecta L. var. intermedia (Jones) Kearn. & Peeb.
Ring stem
B. coccinea Mill.
Mirabilis bigeZovii Gray. Wishbone bush
M. bigeZovii Gray var. retrorsa (Heller) Munz.
M. froebelii (Behr) Greene var. gZabrata (Standl.) Jeps.
Giant four o'clock
M. tenuiZoba Wats. White four o'clock
OLEACEAE Olive family
Praxinum veZutina Torr. var. coriacea (Wats.) Rehd. Ash
ONAGRACEAE Evening primrose
Oenothera abramsii Macbr.
0. avita W. Klein.
0. cardiophy Ua Torr.
0. chamaenerioides Gray.
0. cZaviformis Torr & Frem. Brown-eyed primrose
0. decorticans (H.& A.) Munz. ssp. condensata (Munz) Munz.
Bottle-cleaner
0. Zeptocarpa Greene.
0. micrantha Hornem.
Zauschneria caZifornica Presl. ssp. mexicana (Presl.) Raven.
California fuchsia
X. cali.fornica Presl. ssp. lafij'olla (Hook.) Keck.
- 11 -
OROBANCHACEAE Broom-rape family
Orobanche fasciculata Nutt. var. Zutea (Parry) Achey. Broom-rape
0. Zudoviciana Nutt. var. ZatiZoba Munz.
PAPAVERACEAE Poppy family
Argemone munita Dur. & Hilg. ssp. argentea G. Ownbey. Prickly poppy
EschschoZzia minutifZora Wats. Little golden-poppy
E. parishii Greene. Large golden poppy
PLANTAGINACEAE Plantain family
PZantago insularis Eastw. var. fastigiata (Morris) Jeps. Plantain
POLEMONIACEAE Phlox family
Kria: trum eremicum (Jeps.) Mason.
1". pluri.florum (Heller) Mason.
Gilia austraZis (Mason & A. Grant) V. Grant
G. ZatifoZia Wats.
LangZoisia schottii (Torr.) Greene.
L. setosissima (T.& G.) Greene.
LeptodactyZon pungens (Torr.) Rydb. ssp. Hallii (Parish) Mason.
Linanthus nuttallii (Gray) Greene ex Mlkn. ssp. f7oribundus
(Gray) Munz.
I;. dichotomus Benth. Evening snow
*Z;. ,jonesi i. (Gray) Greene.
POLYGONACEAE Buckwheat family
Chori:zanthe brevieornu Torr.
C. rigida (Tory.) T.& G. spiny herb
Eriogonum apieulatum Wats. Buckwheat
E. davidsonii Greene.
E. fasciculatum Benth. var. po UfOZi-um (Benth.) T.& G.
- 12 -
F. infZatum Torr. & Frem. Desert trumpet
E. pusillum T.& G.
E. thomasii Torr.
*E. trichopes Torr.
E. wrightii Torr. ex Benth. var. membranaceum S. Stokes ex Jeps.
Oxytheca emarginata Hall.
Pterostegia drymarioides F.& M.
PORTULACACEAE Purslane family
CaZyptridium monandrum Nutt. in T.& G. Sand cress
Montia perfoZiata (Donn.) Howell. var. parvifZora (Dougl.)
J. T. Howell. Miner's lettuce
M. spathulata (Dougl.) Howell.
RANUNCULACEAE Crowfoot family
Delphinium parishii Gray. Larkspur
RESEDACEAE Mignonette family
*OZigomeris ZinifoZia (Vahl) Macbr. Cambess
RHAM_NACEAE Buckthorn family
CondaZia parryi (Torr.) Weberb. Desert jujube
Rhamnus crocea Nutt. in T.& G. ssp. ilieifoZia (Kell.) C. B.
Wolf. Buckthorn
ROSACEAE Rose family
Prunu:; frcr oal,ii. Wats. Desert apricot
RUBI:ACEAE Madder family
GaZium aparine L. Bedstraw
G. stellatum Kell. ssp. eremicum (Hilend & Howell) Ehrend.
SALICACEAE Willow family
PopuZus fremontii Wats. Cottonwood
- 13 -
Sa'Zix gooddingii willow
A Zasio kpis Benth.
SCROPHULARIACEAE Figwort family
Antirrhinum cyathiferum Benth. Snapdragon
A. §Zipes Gray. Twining snapdragon
rastiZZeja foUoZo,sa HA A. Indian paintbrush
Q stenantha Gray.
Y_eckiella. antirrhinoidow (Benth.) Straw, ssp, microphplO,
(Gray) Straw. Beard tongue
MimuZus bigeZovii (Gray.) Cray. Monkey flower
M, cardinaZis Dougl, ex Benth.
M, f0ribundus Dougl. ex Lindl.
A guttatus Fisch, ex DC,
A nasutus Greene.
A parishii Greene.
A piZosus (Benth.) Wats.
,Vohavea confertifZora (Benth. in DC.) Heller. Ghost flower
Penstemon Wevekndii Gray.
P. spectabilis Thurb. ex Gray.
SOLANACEAE Nightshade family
Datura meteZoides A. DC. Jimson weed
Lycium andersonii Gray. Desert thorn
Nieotiana trigonophylla Dunal in A. DC. Desert tobacco
PhysaZis crassif&ia Benth. Ground cherry
5olanum nodifZorum Jacq. Nightshade
- 14 -
STERCULIACEAE Cacao family
Ayenia, compacta Rose
TAMARTCACEAE Tamarisk family
Tamarix pentandra Pall. Tamarisk
T. aphylla (L.) Karst. Athel tamarisk
URTICACEAE Nettle family
Parietaria fZoridana Nutt. Pellitory
VERBENACEAE Verbena family
Verbena Zosiostachys Link. Vervain
VITACEAE Grape family
Vitis girdiana Munson. Grape
ZYGOPHYLLACEAE Calptrop family
Fagonia Zaevis Standl.
Larrea tridentata Sesse & Mocino. Creosote bush
TribuZus terrestris L. Puncture vine
MONOCOTYLEDONEAE
AGAVACEAE Agave family
Agave deserti Engelm. Desert agave
NoZina parryi Nolina
Yucca shidigera ex. Ortigies. Mohave yucca
Y. whippZoi Torr. Our Lord's candle
AMARYLLIDACEAE Amaryllis family
Muilla coronata Greene.
CYPERACEAE Sedge family
HeZeocharis montevidensis Kunth. Spike rush
- 15 -
GRAMINEAE Grass family
Agrostis semiverticillata (Forsk.) C. Chr. Bent grass
Ar/-s( ido adscensionic L. Triple-awned grass
A. parishii Hitchc.
BouteZoua aristidoides (HBk.) Griseb. Grama grass
B. barbata Lag.
Bromus rubens L. Foxtail
Cynodon dactyZon (L.) Pers. Bermuda grass
Festuea megaZura Nutt. Fescue
F. octofZora Walt.
Hilaria rigida (Thurb.) Benth. ex Scribn. Galleta
11ordeum stebbinsii Covas. Barley
LeptoehZoa uninervia (Presl.) Hitchc. & Chase. Sprangletop
McZica frutescens Scribn.
MuhZenbergia asperifoZia (Nees. & Mey.) Parodi. Scratch grass
M. microsperma (DC.) Kunth.
M. rigens (Benth.) Hitchc.
Pennisetum setaceum (Forsk.) Chiov.
Poa bigeZovii vasey & Scribn.
PoZypogon monspeliensis (L.) Desf. Beard grass
'ohi.-mu:. barbatus (L.) Thell .
��poroho l w, ai.roide:: (Tore.) Torr.. Dropseed
„tipa, "peoiooa Trin. & Rupt. Spear grass
Tridens puZehellus (HBR.) Hitchc. Fluff grass
IRIDACEAE Iris family
*Sisyrinchium bellum Wats. Blue-eyed grass
- 16 -
JUNCACEAE Rush family
.Iuncus baZticus Willd . Rush
.!. bufoni: L. Toad Rush
J. xiphioides E. Mey.
PALMAE Palm family
Washingtonia ,filifera (Lindl.) Wendl. Fan palm
LILIACEAE Lily family
*CaZochortus eoncoZor (Baker) Purdy. Goldenbowl mariposa
TYPHACEAE Cat-tail family
Typha domingensis Pers. Cat-tail
- 17 -
PARTIAL FLORISTIC LIST FOR THE
CHAPARRAL, WOODLAND, AND YELLOW*PINE FOREST
OF THE DEEP CANYON WATERSHED
OCTOBER 1973
PTEROPHYTA Ferns
Pteridaceae
Cheilanthes covi Nei Maxon. Lip fern
Pellaea mucronata D.C. Eat. Bird's foot fern
Pityrogramma triangularis (Kaulf.) Maxon. Goldenback fern
CONIFEROPHYTA Cone-bearing plants
CUPRESSACEAE Cypress family
*CaZoeedrus deeurrens (Torr.) Florin. Incense cedar
Juniperus caZi-fornica Carr. .Juniper
PINACEAE Pine family
*Abies eoncoZor (cord. & Glend.) Lindl. White fir
*Pines jeffreyi Grev. & Balf. in A. Murr. Jeffrey pine
Pinus monophylla Torr. & Frem. Pinyon pine
*P. ponderosa Dougl. ex P.C. Lawson. Ponderosa pine
P. quadrifoZia Parl. ex Sudw.
ANTHOPHvTA Angiosperms
DICOTYLEDONEAE Dicots
AMAItANTHACEAE Amaranth family
/lmaranthur, albus L. Tumbleweed
ANACAR.DIACEAE Sumac family
Rhus ovata Wats. Sugarbush
- 18 -
BERBERIDACEAE Barberry family
Berberis dictyota Jeps. Barberry
BETULACEAE Birch family
Alnus rhombifoZia Nutt. White alder
CACTACEAE Cactus family
Opuntia erinacea Engelm. & Bigel. var. ursina (A. Weber_)
Parish. Grizzly Bear cactus
0. erinacea Engelm. & Bigel. var. xanthostemma (K. Schum.)
L. Benson. Old man cactus
0. ZittoraZis (Engelm.) Ckll. Prickly-pear
CAPRIFOLIACEAE Honeysuckle family
Symphoricarpos parishii Rydb. Snowberry
CARYOPHYLLACEAE Pink family
Silene verecunda Wats. ssp, platyota (Wats.) Hitchc. & Maguire.
COMPOSITAE Sunflower family
Artemisia dracunculus L. Wormwood
A. Zudoviciana Nutt. ssp, albula (Woot.) Keck.
Bahia dissecta (Grav) Britton.
Chrysothamnus nauseosus (Pall.) Britton. ssp. bernardinus
(Hall) Hall & Clem. Rabbitbrush
Corethrogyne filaginifoZia (H.& A.) Nutt. var. brevicula
(Greene) Canby.
Dyssodia porophylloides Gray.
F,riophyllum confertiflorum (DC.) Gray.
<Inaphalium palustre Nutt. Cudweed
6'utierrezia :,arothrac, (Pursh) Britt . & Rushy. Matchweed
Haplopappus cuneatus Gray. Goldenbush
- 19 -
H. ZinearifoZius DC.
Hymenopappus filifoZius Hook. var. Zugens (Greene) Jeps.
Lessingia germanorum Cham. var, gZanduZifera (Gray) J. T. Howell.
Machaeranthera canescens (Pursh) Gray.
Senecio dougZasii DC. Groundsel
SoZidago caZifornica Nutt. Goldenrod
EUPHORBIACEAE Spurge family
bernardia incana Mort. Mouse-eye
FAGACEAE Oak family
*Quercus agrifoZia Nee.
*Q. chrysolepis Liebm.
*Q. turbinella Greene.
GARRYACEAE Silk-tassel family
Garrya fZavescens Wats. var. pallida (Eastw.) Bacig. ex Ewan.
Silk-tassel bush
HYDROPHYLLACEAE Waterleaf family
Friodietyon crassifoZiurn Benth. Yerba Santa
LABIATAE Mint family
Monardella Zinoides Gray.
M. nana Gray. ssp. arida (Hall) Abrams.
M. nana ssp. tenuifZora (Wats.) Abrams.
SaZvia apiana Heps. var. compacta White sage
S. pachyphylla Epl. ex Munz.
Stachys rigida Nutt. ex Benth. Hedge nettle
20 -
LEGUMINOSAE Pea family
AstragaZus coccineus Bdg. Scarlet locoweed
A. paZmeri Gray.
Amorpha fruticosa L. var. occidentaZis (Abrams) Kearn. & Peeb.
Lotus davidsonii Greene.
L. nevadensis Greene.
L. rigidus (Benth.) Greene
Lupinus concinnus J.G. Agardh var. orcuttii (Wats.) C. P. Sm.
Lupine
L. formosus Greene var. hyacinthinus (Greene) C. P. Sm.
LINACEAE Flax family
Linum perenne L. ssp. Zewisii (Pursh.) Hult. Flax
LORANTHACEAE Mistletoe
Phoradendron boZZeanum (Seem.) Eichler ssp. densum (Torr.)
Fosb. Juniper mistletoe
MALVACEAE Mallow family
MaZacothamnus fasciculatus (Nutt.) Greene
SphaeraZcea ambigua Gray.
OLEACEAE Olive family
Foresteria neo-mexicana Gray. Desert olive
Fraxinus veZutina Torr. var. coriacea (Wats.) Rehd. Ash
ONAGRACEAE Evening-primrose family
Zauschneria caZifornica Presl. ssp. ZatifoZia (Hook.) Keck.
California fuchsia
PAPAVERACEAE Poppy fam:i.ly
Argemone muni to Dur. & 11i1g. 1'rick.1-y poppy
- 21 -
POLEMONIACEAE Phlox family
F,riastrum sapphirinwn ssp. gynmocephalwn
Li.nanthus nuttallii (Gray) Greene ex Mlkn.
L. nuttallii (Gray) Greene ex Mlkn. ssp. floribundus (Gray) Munz.
PhZox austromontana Cov.
POLYGONACEAE Buckwheat family
Eriogonum apieulatum Guts. Buckwheat
E. davidsonii Greene.
Z'. maculatum Heller.
E. saxatiZe Wats.
E. wrightii Torr. ex Benth. var. subscaposum Wats.
E. wnbellatum Torr. var. stellatum (Benth.) Jones.
Oxytheca emarginata Nall.
PORTULACACEAE Purslane family
Montia perfoliata (Donn) Howell. var. parvifZora (Dougl.)
J. T. Howell. Miner's lettuce
RANUNCULACEAE Crowfeet family
/Iquilegia formosa Fisch. in. DC. var. trurzeata (F.&M.) Baker.
Columbine
Clematis paucif'Zora Nutt. in T.& G. Clemantis
RHAMNACEAE Buckthorn family
Ceanothus greggii Gray. var. perplexans (Trel.)Jeps. California lilac
Rh=nus crocea Nutt. in T.& G. ssp. ilicifoZia (Kell.) C. B. Wolf.
Buckthorn
ROSACEAE Rose family
,1denosLoma sparsifnZi7.pp Torr. Ribbonwood
Amelanchier palZida Greene. Service-berry
- 22 -
Cercocarpus betuZoides Nutt. ex T.& G. Mountain mohagany
Prunus fasciculata (Torr.) Gray. Desert almond
P. ilieifoZia (Nutt.) Walp. Holly-leaved cherry
Purshia glandulosa Curran. Antelope bush
RUBICEAE Madder family
GaZium andrewsii Gray.
G. angustifoZium Nutt. in T.& G. var. bo rnardi.num Hi.lend & Howell.
G. parishii Hilend & Howell.
RUTACEAE Rue family
Thamnosma montana Torr. & Frem. Turpentine broom
SALICACEAE Willow family
SaZix Zaevigata Bebb. Willow
SAXIFRAGACEAE Saxifrage family
PhiladeZphus microphyllus Gray. ssp. stramineus (Rydb.) C. L.
Hitchc. Mock orange
P,ibes eereum Dougl. Squaw current
SCROPHULARIACEAE Figwort family
Casti U eja foZioZosa H.& A. Indian paintbrush
C. martinii Abrams.
Cordylanthus filifoZius Nutt. ex Benth. in DC. Bird's-beak
C. nevinii Gray.
Keckie Na antirrhinoides (Benth.) Straw. ssp. microphylla (Gray)
Straw. Beard tongue
MimuZus cardinaZis Dougl.. ex Benth. Monkey flower
M. f Zoribundu.^ Dougl. ex I,indl.
M. pilosus (Benth.) Wats.
Penstemon spectabilis Thurb. ex Gray.
- 23 -
P. Zabrosus (Gray) Hook.
SOLANACEAE Nightshade family
Solanum zantii Gray. var. montanum Munz. Nightshade
TAMARICACEAE Tamarisk family
Tamarix petandra Pall. Tamarisk
UMBELLIFEREAE Carrot family
Lomatium mohavense (Coult. & Rose) Coult. & Rose.
MONOCOTYLEDONAE
AGAVACEAE Agave family
NoZina parryi Wats.
AMARYLLIDACEAE Amaryllis family
Allium fimbriatum Wats. wild onion
GRAMINEAE Grass family
Stipa coronata Thurb. in Wats. var. depauperata (Jones) Hitchc.
- 24 -
Philip L. Boyd Deep Canyon
Desert Research Center
limn
b • 4 Ij
VA
i 6 ' 4k Y
Valley Studios,Hemet
I
r This aerial photograph, from about 6,000 feet, was taken by Walter E. Frisbie, Hemet
commercial photographer. It shows the station buildings at the 950-foot elevation near the
lower left corner. Deep Canyon Creek swings sharply north below the buildings, at the toe
of Sheep Mountain. The canyon continues to the right (south) upstream into the lower
gorge near the upper right corner of the picture. Jeep trails and the main road are barely
r discernible.
W
ANNUAL REPORT
1973 - 1974
INTRODUCTION
The fiscal year 1973-1974 was one of the busiest, most fruitful
and challenging in the history of the Philip L. Boyd Deep Canyon Desert
Research Center, established in 1959.
More visitors were recorded than in any previous year. (Table 1)
Deep Canyon produced its first university-published book, Ants of
Deep Canyon. (Publications Section) . Mammals of Deep Canyon (1968) V
was published by Desert Museum.
A greater number of short and longrange research projects were
reported. (Table 3)
Perhaps the most important research news, however, was assurance that
the.National Science Foundation would fund the Deep Canyon-Australian National
University study "Environmental Control of Photosynthesis and Growth of Cactus
Species (Opuntia) in Native and Introduced Habitats."
A $23,251 grant was announced in September, 1974. Work in both countries
will begin Jan. 1, 1975, for a two-year period.
The study is the first direct Deep Canyon NSF project in a decade,
although the center has been used for cactus , nematode and small mammal
studies by the Desert Biome program.
Dr. Irwin P. Ting, UCR professor of plant physiology and Deep Canyon
director, and Dr. C. B. Osmond of ANU are principal investigators for the
new study. '
Landline telephone service was completed, ending a long agreement
for radio-telephone equipment.
Class and special-group use of the center's facilities increased.
(Table 2A)
The continuing arthropod survey undertaken in 1963 progressed under
direction of Saul Frommer, UCR museum scientist. A cooperative study
program with the .center's new neighbor, Ironwood Country Club began,
partially financed by the land development firm. (Summary reports are
included)
Thanks to the California personalized motor vehicle license program, an
important habitat site was purchased by the State Department of Fish and
Game to protect the only known range of the Desert Slender Salamander,
near Deep Canyon.
Additional trailer housing facilities at the station and at 2,750-
feet were improved with air-conditioning and sanitation for the lower area
ar
and electricity for the upper trailer, an overnight-use shelter. The little
trailer's circuits and air-conditioner were linked to the electric line from
the Anza Electric Cooperative's Pinyon Flats-Royal Carrizo service area.
Additional laboratory equipment was installed, including a water deion-
izer, ice maker and ice crusher, all primarily for plant studies.
Three species lists--plants , arthropods and birds--were produced and
are available on request.
No staff changes were made during the year. Jan Zabriskie remained the
resident researcher, assisting long and shortterm researchers and expanding
the center's plant collection, with one additional herbarium cabinet.
Bill Jennings, the center's editor, conducted promotion and sales programs
for Ants of Deep Canyon and began writing a second Deep Canyon book,
�r —
Deep Canyon, A Desert Wilderness for Science. This general-interest type
book will be published this fiscal year.
Staff volunteers Nancy Zabriskie and Karen Fowler were joined by
Margaret (Peggy) Merritt, who assisted Dr. Jack C. Turner with his continuing
bighorn sheep studies. The three women are the only accredited volunteers
2
on the Deep Canyon staff.
..
An October meeting for the UC Natural Land and Water Reserves fund-
raising group included a visit to the center.
Liaison between the center and the Australian National University
was increased with the arrival of Dr. Bruce Sutton from Canberra as a
post-doctoral fellow working on Opuntia with Drs. Ting and Osmond.
The challenges of inflation and the continuing energy crisis did
not affect either the quality or quantity of research at Deep Canyon and
requests for center use in 1974-1975 are running as high as last year.
Rainfall and average maximum/minimum temperatures for the immediate
area during the year were not substantially different from the long-range
record. A total of 3.63 inches of rainfall was recorded, as compared with
5.02 inches the previous fiscal year. The heaviest one-month rainfall
total in recent years was reported in January, 1974, when gauges measured
2.46 inches. R.ainfall summaries from 1963 are available on request , along
with temperature records.
WEATHER TABLE
Average max/min temperatures and rainfall (in degrees F and inches)
July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May June
104 101 97 88 72 60 62 70 74 82 90 105
78 78 73 69 54 53 47 53 54 60 64 78
73 0 0 0 .09 0 2.46 0 .35 0 0 0
Mr. Zabriskie expanded long-range plant studies with the addition of a
permanent plot in a desert pavement habitat, on the Pipestrelle Canyon
alluvial fan. It supplements three previously established in the study of
seasonal and yearly changes of annual plants,
The first three line transects of several contemplated have been
established for recording perennial plant phenology along an altitudinal
3 ,y
gradient on the canyon transect.
Plant collecting in the chaparral, pinyon woodland and pine forest
communities continued through the spring. Specimens collected the previous
spring have been incorporated in the herbarium. These bring to 834 the
number of specimens and the species count to 429, not limited to the Deep
Canyon transect but also including adjoining areas of the Santa Rosa
Mountains.
Seeds collected last summer and fall also are being added to the
collection.
Mrs. Nancy Zabriskie, museum scientist for the center, has completed
the plant cataloging system and is continuing to prepare herbarium specimens
and collect in the field, assisted by her husband, Walter, who has retired
as an administrator in the Los Angeles Schools.
The center's other volunteers , Ms. Karen Fowler, director-naturalist
at nearby Living Desert Reserve, and Ms. Margaret Merritt, both worked with
Dr. Turner on the bighorn sheep physiological and behaviorial study.
SALAMANDER RESERVE
The California Wildlife Conservation Board announced in January, 1974,
that an ecological reserve of about 140 acres had been established near
Deep Canyon to protect the Desert Slender Salamander (Batrachoseps aridus) ,
which is not known to inhabit any other area. This rare and endangered
species is a relict and little research has been accomplished to date other
than by Dr. Arden Brame of the Eaton Canyon Nature Center, Pasadena.
Deep Canyon personnal helped to establish a plan for the new reserve,
including restrictions on research there.
4
INTER-AGENCY COOPERATION
Deep Canyon personnel are cooperating with three state agencies on
varied programs of importance to present and future research in the
Santa Rosa Mountains. One, mentioned previously, involves a management
plan for the new desert slender salamander ecological reserve.
A second, more informal agreement concerns weather recording equip-
ment and data at the newly-completed Pinyon Crest Fire Station of the
California Division of Forestry and the Riverside County Fire Department.
Deep Canyon will install seven-day recording weather instruments there for
joint use of the two fire agencies and the university.
Also continuing is an informal working arrangement with Anza-Borrego
Desert State Park archaeological and park naturalist personnel. Currently
park specialists are studying skulls and other remains of desert bighorn
sheep to measure the differences between the Santa Rosa herds and sheep
found further south, hopefully to determine the subspecies question that
is still debated among zoologists.
Deep Canyon personnel work closely with Living Desert Reserve officials,
particularly in the area of plant studies and the behaviorial and physio-
logical study of desert bighorns begun three years ago by Dr. Jack C. Turner,
now of the University of Wyoming.
Insect light trapping is being coordinated with the Coachella Valley
Mosquito Abatement District at three sites.
�r
PUBLICATIONS
During the year the Boyd Center's publications program expanded.
Three species lists--for plants, birds and arthropods--were released for
general distribution. A fourth, combining mammals , reptiles and amphibians ,
5
-10
is now in a preliminary form.
R. Mark Ryan's Mammals of Deep Canyon, published by the Palm Springs
Desert Museum was the first book wholly devoted to Deep Canyon research
when it appeared in 1968. It is still in print and is a valuable reference
work on many desert biologists ' bookshelves.
During December, 1973, the center's own initial book-length publica-
tion appeared. Ants of Deep Canyon, by G.C. and Jeanette Wheeler of the
University of Nevada Desert Research Institute, has had good critical
notices and slow but steady sales. It is the first in an annual series
of Deep Canyon-sponsored publications.
The second, Deep Canyon, A Desert Wilderness for Science, by the
center's editor, is now at the manuscript stage and should be published
during this fiscal year.
Subsequent themes may include amphibians, succulent plants, bighorn
sheep, archaeology and other plant and animal forms.
There continues to be public interest in Deep Canyon studies, mani-
fested by newspaper inquiries. Much of this vicarious attention has been
devoted to the desert bighorns in the past but increasing concern is being
expressed in more general ecological and environmental studies.
FACILITIES IMPROVED
Under this heading the center has limited activity to report for the
year. The major item was completion of the landline telephone by General
Electronics and Telephone from its Pinyon Crest exchange. It was started
in the previous fiscal year but terrain difficulties delayed construction
and inhibited good service at first.
The line utilizes the Anza Electric Cooperative power poles installed
several years ago, thus reducing the visual annoyances of another line in
such a scenic area.
6
The telephone which entered service in February replaced the cumber-
some but vital radio-telephone link installed in 1962 by Chalfont Com-
munications. The Deep Canyon staff expresses its thanks to Chalfont for
service far beyond the limits of a contract. Emergency repairs and
message-taking were always cheerfully handled.
For the benefit of Deep Canyon users our new telephone number is
(714) 349-3655, in the Pinyon exchange. We cannot extend UC tie-line
service or connect the line to the UCR campus computer as yet.
Travel trailers added last year were made more liveable with install-
ation of air-conditioning and a septic system. The old (1956) "Went
Trailer" as the first Deep Canyon unit is still called in honor of
Dr. Frits Went, also received air-conditioning. Electricity was extended
also to a small overnight trailer at the 2,750-foot elevation near Boyd's
Point. Users must still provide water and LPG for cooking purposes and
the trailer has no direct septic system.
The center requested approximately $6,500 in minor capital improvements
during the 1975-1976 fiscal year as part of the annual campus program.
Included are a shade (energy-saving and esthetic) ramada over the three
trailers at the 950-foot elevation main station, also an asphalt (safety
and esthetic) apron under them, conversion of the original generator shed
into a more usable storage area by removal of the surplus generators and
raising of the slanting shed roof to conform with the adjoining storage and
water cistern building.
Incidental roof repair and painting also were requested. Continuing
electrical and water system improvements have been made as center budgets
permitted, along with donations from longtime Deep Canyon supporters.
Following are special sections and tables accompanying the narrative
7
�r
portion of this annual report. Copies of appendices and other special
reports are available on request from:
The Deep Canyon Office
c/o Department of Biology
University of California
Riverside, CA 92502
�r
V
8
RESEARCH ACCOMPLISHED
Research conducted at the Philip L. Boyd Deep Canyon Desert Research
Center during the fiscal year 1973-1974 remained as diversified as in
earlier years , with the major interest in mammal ecology and physiology,
also plant physiology. Two graduate students completed field requirements
for doctoral degrees and another completed work for a master's degree, in
addition to ongoing research projects of other graduate students, post-
doctoral fellows and faculty research personnel from the University of
California system and other institutions.
As reported to the Natural Land and Water Reserves System office in
Berkeley, station usage was as follows :
All UC branches:
Teaching - Research man-hours - 3,973
Other institutions :
Teaching - Research man-hours - 1,119
Total number of UC users was 414; others , 210. The combined total,
624, compared with a total sign-in of 855.
These data compare favorably with previous years,. reflecting an
approximate 10 per cent annual gain in most areas. The total number of
users in 1973-1974 was approximately half that in 1972-1973 but this
apparent decline is due to a change in registration procedures.
Highlights of the major research projects follow, along with a
listing of all studies during the year. (Table 2)
9
STATION PROJECTS
Permanent or long-range projects continued during the fiscal year by
station personnel include attention to the gathering of accurate and more
varied weather and climatic data.
The addition of two hygrothermographs to those previously installed
and the transfer of another provide an improved climatic record along an
altitudinal gradient through the research center from an elevation of 400
feet, at Living Desert, to 4,000 feet , at Pinyon Flat. An installation
was made in early fall, 1974, at the new Pinyon Crest County-State Fire
Station, which is on the 4,000-foot contour of the Santa Rosas.
The upper elevation site has been moved twice in the past year be-
cause of unforseen circumstances. It was removed from the Sugarloaf Store
when that pioneer establishment, built by Arthur Nightingale more than 40
years ago, was closed and placed on the real estate market.
The equipment later was moved to the Taylor Ranch near the rim of
Deep Canyon and now is at the fire station, hopefully permanently.
Equipment formerly kept at Bucket 58, the mouth of the inner gorge
in Deep Canyon, has been moved to Ironwood Country Club. Instruments
there and at Living Desert have been bolstered through the efforts of
Colin Wainwright, a UCR graduate student who is conducting the center's
Ironwood area ecological study. Mr. Wainwright's summary of his second-
quarter findings follows.
10
IRONWOOD ECOLOGY STUDY
(Editor's note: This long-range study is financed by Ironwood
Country Club and Philip L. Boyd, with administrative support from Deep
Canyon. It began Jan. 1, 1974 with $2,500 each from the first two
sponsors. Ironwood is a 1,000-acre golf-tennis condominium development at
the mouth of Deep Canyon. A major purpose of the study is a comparative
examination of native plant and animal life in a natural area altered by
land development.)
VEGETATION
The vegetation in and around Ironwood Golf Course is being studied
by a series of transects within and extending out of the course boundaries .
In response to irrigation the "desert vegetation" is becoming dense
and prolific. A number of native and introduced weedy species , not normally
found in this area, are becoming established and increasing in density.
MAMMALS
Density and reproductive patterns of small mammals (rodents) are
being observed in three study areas;
1. An undisturbed desert zone away from the golf course;
2. A desert zone adjacent to the golf course, and,
3. A desert zone within the golf course.
In contrast to the area outside the golf course the desert zone within
the course shows a sharp increase in rodent populations along with a pro-
longed reproductive period. This is probably due to the increase in avail-
able water and food reserves brought about by the presence of the golf
course.
11
�W
BIRDS
The changing density of bird species frequenting Ironwood is being
studied along a transect extending across the alluvial fan from the
mountainous area on the east , through the golf course, including grassy
areas , water and sand traps and desert zones within the course boundaries ,
and across undisturbed desert to the mountainous area on the west.
The increase in water and vegetative material from the golf course
is having a marked effect on bird populations. There is a definite in-
crease in non-desert as well as desert species within the course perimeter
as compared to desert areas adjoining it.
REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS
Snakes and lizards are being studied in the three small-mammal sites.
The density of reptiles is increasing in the desert zones within and
around the golf course, in contrast to the desert area outside the golf
course. In general the density of amphibians is increasing in the golf
course area with permanent water or continual irrigation.
,0 INSECTS
Presently insect material is being collected by light-trapping and
examined from three locations:
1. Living Desert Reserve;
2. Ironwood Golf Course, and,
3. Boyd Deep Canyon Desert Research Center.
Most of these data have not yet been analyzed but mosquito data thus
far indicate no significant differences among the three areas.
CLIMATE
jow
Climatic conditions--temperature, humidity and rainfall-- are being
monitored at the golf course, Living Desert and at several Deep Canyon sites .
12
A comparison of these data indicate an increase in humidity in the golf
course area. This difference in moisture is likely due to the increased
irrigation.
(Results of this study, if a longterm period is possible, should be
useful both to researchers and to desert land developers and will be
available in professional journals and special reports on a periodic basis,)
13
ENTOMOLOGICAL SURVEY
(Editor 's Note: A continuing faunal survey for insects and related
non-insectan arthropods has been one of the major long-range studies at
Deep Canyon, virtually from the beginning. It was originated by Dr. . E.I.
Schlinger, now at UC Berkeley. Since 1969 the survey has been conducted
w
by Saul Frommer, Senior Museum Scientist at UCR's Department of Entomology.
His summary follows .)
This report covers the period of July, 1973-September, 1974.
During this time our efforts have been directed to:
1. The continued preparation, identification and storage of hereto-
fore collected arthropod materials taken in the Deep Canyon study area.
2. The gathering and processing of additional materials.
3. An updating of the hierarchic checklist of insects and non-
insectan arthropods recorded from the study area.
4. Limited continuance of the survey of insect associates of the
plant Simmondsia chinensis (Link) Schneider, goatnut or jojoba.
5. Continued research on the dipterous families Bombyliidae,
Chamaemyiidae and Chironomidae.
During the year approximately 10,000 insect specimens were processed
and incorporated into the Deep Canyon collection. We still cannot say
that all previously collected materials are evenly basically processed,
however. In the next few months I anticipate considerable progress with
the assistance of Jeff Smith, recently hired thanks to a $400 grant from
Deep Canyon.
Much of our specimen backlog consists of past Malaise trap collections
in the 1969-1970 period. These originated at the (-)57 marker in the lower
canyon near the alluvium. As a byproduct of Ali Tabet's study of the beefly
14
fauna we obtained additional collections from this and several other Deep
Canyon study sites.
The number of named taxa from the study area continues to grow.
For example, in July 1973, the number of families was 291, genera 914,
species 1,159 and subspecies 87. In September, 1974, the corresponding
totals were 321, 1,026, 1,301 and 96. Increases ranged from 10 to 20 percent.
This growth is significant in view of the limited time we have to
pursue species determination. Many taxa remain unstudied. Arthropod
diversity was further attested to by Tabet's yearlong intensive study,
restricted to only two altitudinal levels. Dr. John D. Pinto's summary
of Tabet's impressive results follows this report.
On March 19, 1974 we completed updating the taxonomic names list.
Since then we have added many more names, as well as made many updates
for the list. Funds permitting, we recommend annual updating.
A site for the Simmondsia arthropod associates study was selected at
approximately 2800 feet elevation near Black Hill. The study plot is
approximately 38,000 square feet. Ninety-six plants were found, although
the majority do not show very vigorous growth. Most collecting was done
April 15-19 and arthropod associates appear few in number. Insects no
doubt exert some influence on the plants but the extent cannot yet be
determined.
It is clear that this study requires much time and certainly financial
support. Inquiry to date has been quite limited, yet the possible economic
value of this plant would indicate a study is worthwhile. We intend to
continue our limited survey, feeling that even this cursory glance may
prove of value to future researchers.
Absence of adequate support for the chamaemyiid study, involving the
15
seasonal fly pest Paraleucopis boydensis Steyskal, is the main factor
limiting my comments. I can report that the fly's activity seems to be
limited to March, April and May. The fly occurs on the canyon floor,
ca 900 feet and has been taken at the 2800-foot level. It would appear
to be restricted to this zone but possibly inhabits a somewhat higher
elevation. I have not retrieved it on the Cactus Spring Trail, although
other flies are pestiferous at this level. A study of the anthropophilic
flies of the area should be both challenging and enlightening.
Field work on the dipterous family Chironomidae was limited this year,
with but a few collections. However , progress is being made on a text
treating the Chironomidae of California, including the fauna of Deep Canyon.
Several new species taken in the area will be treated. I estimate the
number of species of Chironomidae to be found in the study area at around
60 to 65, which was not anticipated when the study began.
Tabet, a UCR graduate student, completed a one-year phenological
study of the Deep Canyon bombyliid fauna under Dr. Pinto's direction.
,Tack C. Hall of the Division of Biological Control is working on a manu-
script treating the beefly fauna from the systematic standpoint.
It is fervently hoped that similar studies can be pursued and that
further investigations into the biology of the desert-dwelling arthropods
of Deep Canyon will be forthcoming.
_
16
SUPPLEMENT
An MS thesis entitled "A Phenology Study of the Bombyliidae of
Deep Canyon" was completed this year by Ali B. Tabet, comparing the
diversity, seasonal distribution and host plant preferences of the beefly
fauna at two sites of different elevation within the canyon. It is based
on weekly collecting and the maintenance of four Malaise traps during
1973-1974. The diversity and abundance of beeflies in Deep Canyon is
extremely high, even for insects , with 32 genera and 158 nominal species
wk
currently known and numerous additional species yet to be described from
collected material.
Fully 50 % of the genera and about 20 % of the species described
from North America are now known to occur in Deep Canyon. Since the two
areas sampled are both in desert zones (1000 and 3000 feet) , the total
diversity is expected to be significantly higher when other canyon
habitats are fully sampled.
This study suggests that periods of maximum beefly occurence are
correlated with rainfall and temperature. In general maximum diversity
and abundance are bimodal throughout the year, with the highest levels
reached before and after the hot summer months , and after periods of
maximum precipitation. Although a large number of beefly species occur
together in a similar habitat , separation by season, host plant and
altitude is pronounced. The diversity of larval hosts supporting this
large number of species now becomes an interesting area for future study.
John D. Pinto
Assistant Professor of Entomology
And Assistant Entomologist
Division of Economic Entomology
17
DESERT BIGHORN SHEEP
Dr. Jack C. Turner of the University of Wyoming, assisted by Margaret Faye
(Peggy) Merritt , a UCR student , continued bighorn sheep field studies he
began as a UCR graduate student in 1969. Unfortunately, a delay in fund-
ing from National Geographic Society and other sources limited the work
during the fiscal year to data analysis and publication, with minimal
field studies possible. Miss Merritt was accepted as a graduate student
by Utah State University at Logan, where she will conduct Rocky Mountain
Mule Deer ecological studies. Continuing telemetric and visual monitoring
of physiological-behaviorial functions are planned by Turner during the
t
1974-1975 fiscal year.
N
Aw
18
FUTURE NEEDS
Several items of repair and improvement for the center's physical
plant are included in the request for minor capital improvements for 1975-
1976, now under study with other Riverside campus requests. Where our own
limited funds permit we have undertaken some of these improvement with the
continued assistance of private donors.
The Boyd Center hopes to expand its weather reporting and recording
system, both with additional instruments at existing stations and with
additional sites.
We also require some form of telephonic message recording equipment
for use while the station's resident researcher is away from the buildings.
This equipment should be capable of transcribing longer messages than most
low-cost tape devices on the commercial market.
A smaller camera, perhaps 35 mm, would also be useful for field re-
search in difficult hiking areas. The station has a splendid Hasselblad
camera system but it is bulky as well as delicate.
We continue to report a comprehensive need for aerial and ground Nk
topographic maps of the entire 14,000-acre center, including the new
salamander reserve and other adjoining lands administered by the U.S.
Bureau of Land Management.
Presently, available topographic maps for the lower, more accessible
areas are adequate but detailed large-scale maps for outlying land sections
might serve as valuable survey tools for future research, These could be
made from precise aerial photographs.
Direct financial support for graduate-student research remains one
of the most pressing problems for desert biology in general and Deep Canyon
in particular. The interest income from the Sperry Memorial Fund is one
19
A
possible source of this support. Funds are needed both for long and short
term studies , including basic transportation.
A more adequate reference library at the station also is a virtual
necessity for expanded research.
Current studies involving thermoregulation variations among desert
rattlesnake species illustrate another need for minor funding. The
center has a set of small mammal or reptile temporary holding pens. These
are inadequately shaded to protect many species during summer. Insulative
walls , movable shades or other heat-reducing devices should be installed.
A continuing need for direct acquisition or long-term research permits
on privately-owned land interspersing BLM and UC acreage is again reported.
Currently, the success of the Natural Land and Water Reserves System fund
drive is vital to Deep Canyon's land protection. Private sections in the
land ownership checkerboard surrounding Deep Canyon are a problem, both
for land security and preservation of habitats-communities for longterm
research.
JO
4'
20
TABLE 1
TOTAL NUMBER OF PERSONS REGISTERED PER MONTH w
July 36
August 31
W.
September 35
October 77
November 89
December 32
January 73
February 64
March 64
April 228*
May 88
June 37
854
(*-Included 103 students in six classes)
F
21
TABLE 2
ORIGIN OF VISITORS TO THE CENTER
Universities and research-related institutions:
University of California
Riverside
Los Angeles
San Diego
Davis
Santa Barbara
Berkeley
Claremont Colleges
Pomona
Claremont
Pitzer
Harvey Mudd
California State University, Fullerton and Sacramento
University of Nevada at Las Vegas
Hamilton College, Oswego, N.Y.
University of Wyoming
Tulane University
Phytotron, Paris , France
San Diego State University
Ae Central Michigan University
Portland State University
Evergreen State College, Aberdeen, Wash.
Australian National University, Canberra
University of Tulsa
22
Table 2 continued
Museums and conservation organizations
Living Desert Association
Oregon Museum of Science and Industry
Malki Museum
Palm Springs Desert Museum
Riverside Municipal Museum
Southern California Directors of Botanic Gardens and Arboreta
Greater San Diego Science Teachers Association
Governmental agencies
U.S. Bureau of Land Management
National Park Service
Geological Survey
National Weather Service
California Departments of Fish and Game, Parks and Recreation
Riverside County Departments of Parks and Planning
San Bernardino County Parks Department
Coachella Valley County Water District
Coachella Valley Mosquito Abatement District
News media
Christian Science Monitor
Palm Springs Desert Sun
Riverside Press-Enterprise
23
Table 2 continued
Commercial organizations:
Chalfont Communications
General Telephone and Electronics
S & L Construction Co.
Petrolane
White's Custom Electric
Anza Electric Cooperative
4.
10
24
TABLE 2A
CLASS OR GROUP VISITS TO THE CENTER 1973-1974
University of California, Riverside
Vertebrate field biology, April 13-14
Instructor: Wilbur Mayhew, 17 persons.
University of California, Riverside
Field entomology, four visits , April, May.
Instructor: John Pinto. 7 persons.
University of California, Santa Barbara
Field botany, April 6.
Instructor: Robert Haller. 55 persons.
University of California, Los Angeles
Plant geography, April 21.
Instructor: Jonathan Sauer. 4 persons.
Pomona College, Claremont
Ecology of Vertebrate Communities, April 19-21.
Instructor: William Wirtz, 16 persons,
California State University, Sacramento
Field Biology, May 5, 1974.
Instructor: Michael Baad. 14 persons.
Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, Portland.
The Sonoran Desert, Jan. 10-11.
Instructor: Mike Uhtoff, 18 persons.
Living Desert Park Interpretive Specialists Conference
Seminar, April 8.
Leader: Karen Fowler, 12 persons,
Greater San Diego Science Teachers Association
Desert Field Trip, April 20.
Coordinator: William Reich. 38 persons. 1F
Natural Land and Water Reserves System Committee
Fall conference, October 26,
Roger Samuelsen, coordinator. 27 persons.
Southern California Botanical Gardens Directors
Living Desert seminar, March 29.
Coordinator: Paul Shaw. 12 persons.
25
TABLE 3
RESEARCH PROJECTS
Wirtz, William 0. Pomona College, Ecology of ground squirrels,
Lang, Anna. UCLA. Geographic patterning of desert vegetation,
Turner, Jack C. University of Wyoming. Physiology and behavior of
desert bighorn sheep.
Wainwright, Colin. UCR. Ironwood ecology study,
Moore, Robert, UCD, Thermoregulation in three species of desert rattlesnakes.
Moore, Beatrice. UCD, Thermoregulation in Bufo punctatus,
Zabriskie, Nancy, UCR-Deep Canyon. Plant collection.
Fr.ommer, Saul. (and others) UCR. Arthropod faunal survey.
(More time is spent working on the collection at UCR.)
Ting, Irwin P. , Bruce Sutton and Stanley R. Szarek, UCR.
Cactus physiology studies (various),
Johnson, Hyrum, UCR. Ecology-physiology of desert plants.
Ting, Irwin P. and Barry Osmond. UCR-ANU. Comparative. cactus survey,
Arizona and Deep Canyon,
Mayhew, Wilbur (Andy Sanders, Phil McNally, Emily McGregor and Toni Gull,
students) , UCR. Bird survey of Deep Canyon,
Tabet, Ali. UCR . Phenology of beeflies (Dip: Bombyliidae) ,
Gordon, Susan. UCB. Competition for food between ants and vertebrates,
Bernstein, Ruth. UCLA, Behaviorial measurements of ant colonies.
Lacey, Lawrence, UCR. Bat nesting sites , simuliid survey.
Man kau, R. (and others) , UCR. Biology of nematodes in desert ecosystems,
Cowles , Raymond B. , UCSB. Mistletoe vector survey,
Fonteyn, Paul. UCSB. Physiological adaptations of ocotillo and creosote bush,
26
Table 3 continued
Krout , Douglas. SDSU. Non-symbiotic bacterial nitrogen fixation in
desert soils. (completed MS thesis.)
Hodson, Robert and Richard Lee. UCSD. Tarantula survey.
Schuster, Robert. UCSB. Arthropod survey.
Mulla, Mir. UCR . Mosquito survey.
McClanahan, Lon. CSUF. Desert toad survey.
Brownell, Philip. UCR. Predatory behavior of solpugids and scorpions.
Coachella Valley Mosquito Abatement District. Routes, migration and
populations of desert mosquitoes.
Coachella Valley County Water District. Subsurface hydrology.
U.S. Geological Survey. Garden Grove. Stream hydrology.
yr
27
TABLE 3A
PERSONS AND RESEARCH AT DEEP CANYON FINANCED BY DEEP
CANYON RESEARCH FUNDS DURING 1973-1974 FISCAL YEAR
Frommer, Saul (and others) Arthropod faunal survey. Continuing
from 1963. Preliminary taxonomic list published 1974.
Turner, Jack C. Physiology and behavior of desert bighorn sheep.
Continuing from 1969. Also supported by Palm Springs Atajo and
National Geographic Society.
Wainwright, Colin. Ironwood Ecology Survey. Also supported by Ironwood
Country Club (Silver Spur Associates) and Philip L. Boyd.
Zabriskie, Nancy. Deep Canyon plant collection.
Sutton, Bruce. Studies on the carbohydrate metabolism of cactus in
a native environment. (ANU postdoctoral fellow)
Szarek, Stanley. Physiological mechanisms of drought adaptation in
0 up ntia basilaris Engelm. & Bigel. Completed dissertation and
other requirements for Ph.D. degree. Also supported by Desert
Biome, International Biological Program (NSF) .
` ` 28
TABLE 4
LIST OF PUBLICATIONS AND DISSERTATIONS , 1972-1974*
1972
Bradshaw, S.D. , V.H. Shoemaker and K.A. Nagy. 1972. The role of adrenal
corticosteriods in the regulation of kidney function in the desert
lizard Dipsosaurus dorsalis. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. , 1972 43(A):
621-635.
Cowles , Raymond B. 1972. Mesquite and mistletoe. Pacific Discovery,
25(3) : 19-24.
Lynch, Timothy, Rodolfo Ruibal and Lloyd Tevis. 1972. Birds of cattle
feedlots in Riverside County, California, Dept. Biology and Boyd
Research Center, UCR. (Mimeographed for distribution and subsequent
publication California Agriculture, 1973 27(3): 4-6, and Western
Livestock Journal (new title: Birds ingrained in feedlot economics)
1973 52(5).
Oechel, W.C. , B.R. Strain and W.R. Odening. 1972. Photosynthetic rates
of a desert shrub, Larrea divaricata Cay. , under field conditions.
Photosynthetica, 6(2) : 183-188.
. 1972. Tissue water potential, photosynthesis , 14C labeled photo-
sythate utilization and growth in the desert shrub Larrea divaricata
Cay. Ecological Monographs, 42: 127-141.
Shoemaker , V.H. , K.A. Nagy and S.D. Bradshaw. 1972. Studies on the
`tiff
control of electrolyte secretion by the nasal gland of the
lizard Dipsosaurus dorsalis. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. , 1972.
42(A) : 749-757.
* Not previously in annual reports or publication lists.
29
Table 4 continued
1972 (cont'd)
Ting, Irwin P. , Hyrum B. Johnson and Stan R. Szarek. 1972. Net CO2
fixation in crassulacean acid metabolism plants. Net carbon dioxide
assimilation in higher plants, a symposium, C.C. Black, editor.
Amer. Soc. of Plant Physiologists (So. Sec.). 1972. Proceedings,
pp 26-53.
Dissertations
MacKay, William P. 1972. Home range behavior of the Banded Rock Lizard,
Petrosaurus mearnsi. MS thesis , California State University, Fullerton.
1973
Alexander, C.P. 1973. Undescribed species of Nearctic Tipulidae (Diptera).
Great Basin Naturalist, 33(3) : 189-196. (Description of Ti ula
(Trichotipula) frommeri Alexander, a new species of Tipulidae from
Deep Canyon.)
Staff. 1973. Floristic list for Deep Canyon watershed. P.L. Boyd Deep
Canyon Desert Research Center, University of California, Riverside.
October. 28 pp.
Steyskal, George C. 1973. The genera of the family Thyreophoridae and
the species of the genus Omomyia with one new species (Diptera) .
Ann. Ent. Soc. Amer. , 66(4) : 849-852.
Szarek, Stan R. , Hyrum B. Johnson and Irwin P. Ting. 1973.
Drought adaptation in Opuntia basilaris. Plant Physiol. , 52: 539-541.
Ting, I.P. 1973. Carbon metabolism in plants. What 's New in Plant
i
Physiology, 5(3) : 4 pp.
30
Ting, I.P. , Hyrum Johnson and Stan R. Szarek. 1973. Gas exchange and
productivity for 0 up ntia spp. Intl. Bio. Program Conf. (Wales) , Proc.
Ting, I.P. 1973. Physiological adaptation to water stress in desert
plants. Am. Inst. Bio. Sc. , Physio. Adapt. Symp. Proc.
Wheeler, G.C. and Jeanette Wheeler. 1973. Ants of Deep Canyon. P.L. Boyd
Deep Canyon Desert Research Center, University of California,
Riverside. 162 pp.
Dissertations
Turner, Jack C. 1973. Water, energy and electrolyte balance in Desert
Bighorn Sheep (Ovis canadensis). Ph.D. dissertation, University of
California, Riverside.
1974
Staff. 1974. Bird list for Boyd Center and Deep Canyon transect.
Philip L. Boyd Deep Canyon Desert Research Center, University of
California, Riverside. 13 pp.
1974. Arthropod checklist for Deep Canyon. Philip L. Boyd Deep
Canyon Desert Research Center, UCR. 78 pp.
Szarek, Stan R. and Irwin P. Ting. 1974. Seasonal patterns of acid
metabolism and gas exchange in 0 up ntia basilaris. Plant Physiol,
(1974) 54: 76-81.
. Respiration and gas exchange in stem tissue of Opuntia basilaris.
Plant Physiol. (In Press) .
. Physiological responses to rainfall in 0 untia basilaris.
American Journal of Botany. (In Press).
31
rr
Table 5 continued
Dissertations and student papers
Krout, D. J. 1974. Non-symbiotic bacterial nitrogen fixation in desert
soil. MS thesis , San Diego State University.
Merritt , Margaret Faye. 1974. Measurement of utilization of bighorn
sheep habitat in the Santa Rosa Mountains. A senior paper reporting
on the Turner sheep study. University of California, Riverside.
Sanders , Andy, Toni Gull, Emily McGregor and Phil McNally. 1974.
Bird transects study in the Deep Canyon area, Santa Rosa Mountains.
Extensive class paper used as basis for Deep Canyon bird list.
Szarek, Stanley R. 1974. Physiological mechanisms of drought adaptation
in Opuntia basilaris , Engelm. & Bigel. Ph.D. dissertation, University
of California, Riverside.
Tabet, Ali Basher. 1974. A phenology study of the Bombyliidae of
Deep Canyon. MS thesis. University of California, Riverside.
Wainwright , Colin. 1974. Ironwood ecological study, a preliminary report.
Philip L. Boyd Deep Canyon Desert Research Center, University of
California, Riverside. 8 pp.
32
77
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DRAFT REPORT
City of Palm Desert
Seismic Safety Element
Technical Report
1
written
pcu;h Draft Repor The
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to rv:• V41 Cj'%li nod
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`tNVICOM CORPORATION
prepared by
ENVICOM CORPORATION
September, 1974
I
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This report is copyrighted and cannot be
reproduced in .vi,:o;e or in part without the
written cons.-nt of UMCOM Corporation.
i
CONTENTS
I INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
A. Scope of Investigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
B. Philosophy of the Analysis .
C. Concepts, Methodology and Terminology . . . . . . . . . . . .
1 . General Statement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2. Types of Hazards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3. Active Faults — The Source of Earthquakes . . . . . . . .
4. Describing an Earthquake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5. Occurrence, Recurrence and Risk of Earthquakes . . .
6. Acceleration, Velocity and Displacement. . . . . . . . . .
7. Frequency Content — Fourier and Response Spectra. . .
8. Near-Surface Amplification. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
D. Responsibility for Seismic/Geologic Hazard Evaluation
II ANALYSIS OF SEISMIC HAZARDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
A. Geologic and Seismic Setting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
B. Faulting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1. A ctive Faults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2. San Andreas Fault . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3. San Jacinto Fault . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4. RecurrenVIntervals for the San Andreas and
jSan Jacinto Faults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
( 5. Concealed Faults on the Southwest Side of the
Coachella Valley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6. Potential for Sympathetic Movement . . . . . . . . . . . .
7. Summary of Faulting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
C. Earthquake Shaking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1. Sources of Expected Shaking . . . . . . . . . .
2. Intensity of Recorded Earthquakes . . . . . .
3. Engineering Characteristics of Expected Earthquakes .
( 4. Comparison of Predicted and Observed Shaking . . . . .
ID. Secondary Hazards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1. Settlement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2. Liquefaction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3. Landslides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
E. Tsunamis and Seiches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS . . . . . . . . . . .
REFERENCES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
ii
t
Figure Page
1 Acceleration, velocity and displacement,
1966 Parkfield earthquake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2 Acceleration, velocity and displacement,
1971 San Fernando earthquake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3 Fourier and response spectra, 1952 Kern
Countyearthquake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4 Response spectra, 1966 Parkfield earthquake . . .
5 Response spectra, 1962 Mexico City earthquake
6 Geologic index map of Palm Desert and vicinity . . . .
7 Map showing location of earthquake epicenters, 4, 0
and greater, 1932-1972, Southern California
region . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8 Map showing location of earthquake epicenters, 5. 0
and greater, 1932. • • - .1972, Southern California
region •
9 Map showing location of earthquake epicenters, 6. 0
and greater, 1932-1972, Southern California
region . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1 10 Geometry and mathematics of computation of the engineering characteristics of an earthquake , . • • .
11 Diagrammatic geologic cross section . . . . . . . . . . .
l 12 Amplification spectrum for b.edrock site condition
with 25 feet of weathered material over hard rock ,
113 Amplification spectrum for 60 feet of alluvium
over hard bedrock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
14 Amplification spectrum for 200 feet of alluvium
over hard bedrock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1 15 Amplification spectrum for 500 feet of alluvium
overhard bedrock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
16 Amplification spectrum for 1000 feet of alluvium
over hard bedrock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
17 Response spectra of one component of the El Centra
record of the 1940 Imperial Valley earthquake ,
LIST OF ILLUSTRAIONTS (cont)
Figure Page
18 Response spectra of one component of the Taft
record of the 1952 Kern County earthquake . . . . . .
19 Response spectra, type 1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
20 Response spectra, type 2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
21 Response spectra, type 3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
22 Response spectra, type 4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
23 Response spectra, type 5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
24 Response spectra, type 6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
25 Response spectra, type 7. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
26 Response spectra, type 8. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
27 Response spectra, type 9. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
28 Response spectra, type 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
29 Response spectra, type 11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
30 Response spectra, type 12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
31 Response spectra, type 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
32 Response spectra, type 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
33 Response spectra, type 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
11 34 Response spectra, type 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
35 Response spectra, type 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
36 Response spectra, type 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
37 Example of a rockfall type' of landslide . . . . . . . . .
i
i
1
I
LIST OF TABLES
i
I
Table Page
t.
1 Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale of 1931 . . . . . . . . .
2 Distribution of responsibility for evaluation of
seismic/geologic hazards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3 Summary of recent earthquakes of intensity V or
greater at Palm Springs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4 Generalized characteristics of expected earthquakes
1
i
i
i
t
i
I INTTRODUCTIO-NT
A. SCOPE OF INVESTIG_<1TION
I
Section 65302 (f) of the Government Code requires a Seismic
Safety Element of all city and county general plans as follows:
1 "A seismic safety element consisting of an identification
and appraisal of seismic hazards such as susceptibility
to surface ruptures from faulting, to ground shaking, to
ground failures, or to the effects of seismically induced
waves such as tsunamis and seiches.
The seismic safety element shall also include an
appraisal of mudslides, landslides, and slope stability
i as necessary geologic hazards that must be considered
simultaneously with other hazards such as possible sur-
face ruptures from faulting, groundshaking, ground
failure and seismically induced waves. "
The Guidelines (California Council on Intergovernmental Rela-
tions, 1973) for the preparation of local general plans states that:
"The intent is that all seismic hazards are to be con-
sidered, even though only ground and water effects are
given as specific examples. The basic objective is to
reduce loss of life, injuries, damage to property, and
economic and social dislocations resulting from future
earthquakes. "
Based on the interpretation of the intent of the law, the
Guidelines define the scope of the Element as including:
1 . A general policy statement.
2. The identification, delineation and evaluation of natural
! seismic hazards.
! 3. The consideration of existing structural hazards.
4. An evaluation of disaster planning program.
5. The determination of specific land use standards related
to level of hazard and risk.
f
The Guidelines indicate that the identification of natural
seismic hazards should include the following:
" 1. General structural geology and geologic history.
2. Location of all active or potentially active faults,
with evaluation regarding past displacement and
probability of future movement.
3. Evaluation of slope stability, soils subject to
liquefaction and differential subsidence.
I4. Assessment of potential for the occurrence and
severity of damaging ground shaking and amplifying
effects of unconsolidated materials.
5. Identification of areas subject to seiches and
tsunamis.
6. Maps identifying location of the above
characteristics. "
I
iThe following technical evaluation is intended to meet or
exceed these requirements.
B. PHILOSOPHY OF THE ANALYSIS
The quantitative study of the strong shaking of earthquakes
is a relatively young science. It was begun in California in the
early 1930's, but has been limited by the necessity of having the
right instruments in the right place when a significant earthquake
does occur. Much information has been acquired over the last
40 years, but there are significant gaps and much remains to be
Ilearned.
With this relatively limited level of basic data, two different
approaches to the development of a Seismic Safety Element are
available. One can utilize broad generalizations to describe
expected events: certainly the inadequacies of the data favor this
approach. On the other hand, if the results are to be used by
engineers in designing safer structures, then a commitment to
mathematical form is necessary. To this end, the analysis is
developed in this way, whenever possible, and presented in
chart or graph form. Qualitative descriptions of the results
are included for the lay reader, and a brief discussion of meth-
odology, terminology and concepts is included in Section C.1 A
Glossary of Terms for reference purposes is included at the
back of the report.
The basic philosophy within which this analysis has been
i developed is that the intent of the Seismic Safety Element is to
plan and prepare for the future based on what we know today
rather than waiting until we know all that we would like to know.
C. CONICEPTS, METHODOLOGY AND TERMINOLOGY
r1. General Statement
The Seismic Safety Element is probably the most technically-
oriented of all the mandated elements of the General Plan. For
this reason, and because of the wider range of backgrounds and
experience of expected readers, it is appropriate to include in
the Introduction a discussion of concepts, methodology and termi-
nology to be used in developing the technical base for this ele-
ment. This discussion is intended to supply not only a dictionary-
function of technical terms and concepts, but, most important,
to establish the systematic cause-and-effect relationships between
the several seismic hazards, and the need for a systematic
analysis of available information.
The topics discussed in the following sections of the intro-
duction are arranged in an order that becomes increasingly more
difficult for the layman. Sections Z through 4 discuss concepts
and terms commonly included in newspaper accounts of earth-
quakes, while later sections discuss the concepts necessary in
the technical analysis of earthquake hazards. The latter are
intended primarily for readers with engineering or scientific
backgrounds, but may also be of interest of the lay reader.
The text of the report is arranged in a similar order. Each
section becomes increasingly more complex, and the later sec-
tions are intended to document the analysis for engineers and
earth scientists who may wish to expand on or apply the data to
the detailed analysis of individual sites.
Z. Types of Hazards
The several seismic hazards discussed in the C. I. R. Guide-
lines can be grouped as a cause-and-effect classification that is
the basis for the order of their consideration. Earthquakes
originate as the shock wave generated by movement along an
active fault. The primary natural hazards are ground shaking
and the potential for ground rupture along the surface trace of
the fault. Secondary natural hazards result from the interaction
L-
I
i
of ground shaking with existing ground instabilities, and include
liquefaction, settlement and landslides. In this context, tsu-
namis, or "tidal waves", and seiches would be primary natural
hazards.
The potentially damaging natural events (hazards) discussed
above may interact with man-made structures. If the structure
is unable to accommodate the natural event, failure will occur.
The potential for such failure is termed a structural hazard, and
includes not only the structures themselves, but also the potential
for damage or injury that could occur as the result of movement
of loose or inadequately restrained objects within, on, or adjacent .
to a structure.
3. Active Faults — The Source of Earthquakes
Earth scientists are generally agreed that earthquakes origi-
nate as the result of an abrubt break or movement of the rock in
t the relatively brittle crust of the earth. The earthquake is the
1 effect of the shock waves generated by the break, much the same
as sound waves (a noise) are generated by breaking a brittle stick.
If the area of the break is small and limited to the deeper part of
the crust, the resulting earthquake will be small. However, if
the break is large and extends to the surface, then the break can
result in a major earthquake.
These breaks in the earth's crust are called faults. In
California, faults are extremely common, and vary from the
small breaks of an inch or less that can be seen in almost any
road-cut, to the larger faults such as the San Andreas on which
movement over many millions of years has amounted to hundreds
- of miles. In addition to the size of faults, their "age" is also
important. Many large faults have not moved for millions of
years; they are considered "dead" or no longer active. They
were probably the source of great earthquakes millions of years
ago, but are not considered dangerous today.
Since faults vary as to the likelihood of their being the source
of an earthquake, considerable effort has, and is continuing to be
expended by geologists and seismologists to determine and deline-
ate the faults likely to generate significant earthquakes. The
C. I. R. Guidelines define an active fault as one that "has moved
in recent geologic time and which is likely to move again in the
relatively near future. Definitions for planning purposes extend
I on the order of 10, 000 years or more back and 100 years or
i
i
The above discussion applies directly to Special Studies
Zones as required by the Alquist-Priolo Act. To date no such
zones have been established within the City of Palm Springs.
However, the State Geologist is required to "continually review
f new geologic and seismic data" in order to revise established
` zones and to delineate additional zones. In this context, evidence
of fault activity in the Palm Springs area will be discussed herein
utilizing the framework of evaluation as provided by the State
Geologist and the State Mining and Geology Board. Additional
comment on the responsibility for evaluation of geologic/seismic
hazards is included in Section Dof this Introduction, and also as
pertinent in that part of the text covering the, evaluation of active
and potentially active faults.
4. Describing an Earthquake
q
Several terms are used to describe the location, "size",
and effects of an earthquake. A clear understanding of the
meaning of these terms and their limitations is essential to an
understanding of the results of the investigation.
The location of an earthquake is generally given as the
epicenter of the earthquake. This is a point on the earth's sur-
face vertically above the hypocenter or focus of the quake. The
latter is the point from which the shock waves first emanate.
l However, as discussed above earthquakes originate from faults.
These are surfaces not points, so the hypocenter is only one
point on the surface that is the source of the earthquake.
Magnitude describes the size of the earthquake itself. Tech-
nically it is defined as the log of the maximum amplitude as
recorded on a standard seismograph at 100 kilometers (62 miles)
from the epicenter. The most important part of this definition is
that it is a log scale: that is, an increase of 1 on the magnitude
scale (e. g. magnitude 5. 0 to 6. 0) represents an increase of 10
in the amplitude of the recorded suave.
Intensity describes the degree of shaking in terms of the
damage at a particular location. The scale used today is the
Modified Mercalli Scale of 1931, and is composed of 12 cate-
gories (I to XII) of damage as described in Table 1. The Roman
numerals are used to emphasize that the units in the scale are
descrete categories rather than a continuous numerical sequence
as is the magnitude scale. It is important to remember that
intensity is a very general description of the effects of an
L
more forward. " In this definition, "has moved" would normally
IIbe taken to mean demonstrable movement at the surface.
I
The State Mining and Geology Board (1973), for purposes of
the Alquist-Priolo Geologic Hazards Zone Act (Chapter 7. 5,
Division 2, Public Resources Code, State of California) "regards
faults `which have had surface displacement within Holocene time
(about the last 11, 000 years) as active and hense as constituting
a potential hazard. "
The State Geologist (Slosson, 1973, Explanation of Special
Studies Zones Maps, p, 3 & 4) defines a potentially active fault
as one "considered to have been active during Quaternary time
(last 3, 000, 000 years) -- on the basis of evidence of surface
displacement. " The State Geologist notes the contrast with the
State Mining and Geology Board, but also states: "An exception
is a Quaternary fault which is determined, from direct evidence,
to have become inactive before Holocene time (last 11, 000
years). "
The definitions above are compatable if taken in the
Ifollowing sequence:
1. A potentially active fault is one which exhibits evidence
of surface displacement during Quaternary time (last
3, 000, 000 years approximately).
2. A potentially active fault will be considered as an active
fault if there is evidence of surface displacement during
{ Holocene time (last 11, 000 years, approximately).
3. A potentially active fault will be considered as inactive if,
- by direct evidence, it can be shown that there has been no
displacement during Holocene time.
1 The key to the practical application of the above definitions is
the placement .of the burden of proof. The State Geologist will
( consider a fault as potentially active if there is evidence of sur-
face displacement during Quaternary time. If a fault is so
designated as required by the Alquist-Priolo Act, then the bur-
den of proof shifts to the developer to show by "direct evidence"
that the fault has not been active (i. e. no surface displacement)
during Holocene time. The practical application of this system
of evaluation will depend primarily on the interpretation of "direct
evidence" in the review and evaluation of the required geologic
reports.
TABLE 1. MODIFIED IMERCALLI INTENSITY SCALE OF 1931
(from United States Earthquakes)
i
Intensity Description of Darnage
I Not felt except by a very few under specially favorable circumstances.
(I Rossi-Forel Scale)
II Felt only by a few persons at rest, especially on upper floors of buildings.
Delicately suspended objects may swing.(I to 11 Rossi-Fore!Scale)
I[I Felt quite noticeably indoors, especially on upper floors of buildings,but
many people do not recognize it as an earthquake. Standing motorcars
may rock slightly. Vibration like passing of truck. Duration estimated.
(III Rossi-Fore(Scale)
IV During the day, felt indoors by many, outdoors by few. At night, some
awakened. Dishes, windows, doors disturbed; walls make creaking sound.
t Sensation like heavy truck striking building. Standing motorcars rocked
noticeably.(IV to V Rossi-Forel Scale)
I V Felt by nearly everyone, many awakened. Some dishes, windows, etc.,
broken; a few instances of cracked plaster; unstable objects overturned.
Disturbances of trees, poles, and other tall objects sometimes noticed.
Pendulum clocks may stop.(V to VI Rossi-Forel Scale)
l VI Felt by all, many frightened and run outdoors. Some heavy furniture
moved; a few instances of fallen plaster or damaged chimneys. Damage
j slight. (VI to Vll Rossi-Forel Scale)
Vil Everybody runs outdoors. Damage negligible in buildings of good design
and construction; slight to moderate in well-built ordinary strictures;
considerably in poorly built or badly designed structures; some chimneys
broken. Noticed by persons driving motorcars. (VIll Rossi-Forel Scale)
Vill Damage slight in specially designed structures; considerable in ordinary,
substantial buildings, with partial collapse;great in poorly built structures.
l Panel walls thrown out of frame structures. Fall of chimneys, factory
stacks, columns, monuments, walls. Heavy furniture overturned. Sand and
mud ejected in small amounts. Changes in well water. Persons driving
motorcars disturbed.(Vlll to IX Rossi-Forel Scale)
IX Damage considerable in specially designed structures;well-designed, frame
structures thrown out of plumb;great in substantial buildings, with partial
collapse. buildings shifted off foundations.Ground cracked conspicuously.
Underground pipes broken.(IX Rossi-Forel Scale)
X Some well-built wooden structures destroyed; most masonry and frame
t structures destroyed with their foundations; ground badly cracked. Rails
bent. Landslides considerable from river banks and steep slopes. Shifted
sand and mud. Water splashed (slopped)over banks.(X Rossi-Forel Scale)
Xi Few, if any, (masonry) structures remain standing. Bridges destroyed.
Broad fissures in ground. Underground pipelines completely out of service.
Earth slumps and land slips in soft ground. Rail, bent greatly.
X11 Damage total. Waves seen on ground surfaces. Lines of sight and level
distorted. Objects thrown upward into air.
1
earthquake, and depends not only on the size of the quake and the
distance to its center but also on the quality of the construction
that has been damaged and the nature of local ground conditions.
5. Occurrence, Recurrence and Risk of Earthquakes
Earthquakes have had in the past a certain occurrence in
space and time. These occurrences may or may not set certain
patterns that can form the basis for predicting their occurrence
in the future. When such occurrences are analyzed in time,
certain characteristics may statistically recur at definite inter-
vals. If it can be shown that a particular magnitude earthquake
recurrs on a fault on the average of once in a certain time inter-
val, then that interval is said to be the recurrence interval for
that magnitude. Or, if the interval of time is set (e. g. a 100-
year period), then earthquakes of a particular magnitude may
recur a certain number of times in the specified period. This
number is then the recurrence rate for that magnitude.
In California small earthquakes occur much more often than
large earthquakes. Also, there is a fairly definite pattern in
that the log (base 10) of the number of events of a particular mag-
hitude that have occurred in the part is approximately proportional
to the magnitude of those events. This relationship appears to
apply to larger areas such as California and western Nevada,
some smaller areas such as the Los Angeles Basin, the
Imperial Valley, etc. , and to some faults. However, this rely
tionship does not necessarily apply to all faults, and it should be
applied to small areas, such as cities or individual sites, with
great care.
LRecurrence intervals can be used to' indicate the risk of an
earthquake in much the same way that recurrence is used to
i describe the risk of flooding (e. g. 100-year flood). There is
one important difference, however. Flood is the result of a
random combination of meteorological events, whereas current
geologic theory indicates that the buildup of the strain released
during an earthquake is more likely to be regular. This regu-
larity suggests that prediction, to varying degrees, may be
j possible depending on the extent of understanding of a particular
fault. In some cases this understanding is limited to a statisti-
cal regularity in the number and magnitude of earthquakes gen-
erated. For others, such as the San Andreas fault, much
more is known on which to base an estimate of the risk in-
volved. For others, little more is known other than that there
is some degree of hazard involved.
L
6. Acceleration, Velocity and Displacement
The data of seismologists and geologists are, in general,
not applicable to the engineering design of earthquake-restraint
structures. The seismograph, for example, is a very sensitive:
instrument designed to record earthquakes at great distances.
A level of shaking that would be meaningful to an engineer in
designing a building would put most seismographs completely
off-scale.
As a result, it has been necessary to design and install
special instruments to record the strong motions of earthquakes
that are of interest to the engineer in the design of earthquake-
restraint structures. The first such instruments, principally
accelerographs and seismoscopes, were installed by the U. S.
Coast and Geodetic Survey in the late 1920's. Since that time,
j the instrumentation and analytical techniques have been
i continuously improved, and many excellent records have been
obtained of the more recent strong earthquakes.
I
i
The following sections are a brief introduction to the con-
cepts, data and application of strong-motion records. The
science is relatively young, and is growing in bursts that follow
the recording of a damaging earthquake.
The accelerograph is a short-period instrument (in contrast
` to the seismograph), and measures the acceleration of the ground
' or the structure on which it is mounted. Figure 1 shows the
ground acceleration recorded just a few hundred feet from the
slipped fault during the 1966 Parkfield earthquake. The velocity
and displacement curves have been derived from it by integration.
It is particularly good example of the relationships of these three
parameters of motion because of the relatively "clean", single-
displacement pulse that corresponds to two velocity peaks and
four acceleration peaks. Figure 2 shows the more typically com-
plex record of the San Fernando earthquake as recorded at
Pacoima Dam. Neither of the two, however, are typical records
in terms of accelerations recorded. The Pacoima record shows
the largest acceleration recorded to date ( l. 25g), and the Park-
field record (0. 5g) was the largest recorded in the United States
1 . before the San Fernando earthquake.
It should also be noted that accelerographs normally record
three components; two in the horizontal plane at a right angle to
each other, and one vertical. Only one component is shown in
each of the two examples.
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Figure 1. Ground acceleration, velocity and displacement.
1966 Parkfield earthquake.
from Housner Trifunac, 1967.
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during the main event of the San Fernando earthquake of February 9,
19713, 06:00 (PST).
from Trifunac & Hudson, 1971.
i
Maximum acceleration is one of the basic parameters
describing ground shaking, and has been the one most often re-
quested by agencies such as FHA in determining the earthquake
hazard to residential structures. It is particularly important for
"lo,v-rise" construction (up to 3 to 5 stories) and other structures
having natural periods in the range of 0. 3 - 0. 5 seconds or less.
7. Frequency Content - Fourier and Response Spectra
The frequency content of the ground motion is particularly
important for the intermediate and higher structures. The prob-
lem can be compared to pushing a child in a swing. If the pushes
are timed to coincide with the natural period of the swing,. then
( each push makes the swing go higher. However, if the timing is
not right, then most of the push is lost "flighting" the natural
period of the swing. The situation is similar during earthquakes.
( Structures have certain natural periods of vibration. If the pulses
of the earthquake match the natural period of the structure, even
a moderate earthquake can cause damaging movement. However,
if the match is poor, the movement and resulting damage will be
much less.
Two methods are commonly used to analyze and display the
frequency content of an earthquake. A Fourier analysis is a
common mathematical method of deriving the significant fre-
quency characteristics of a time-signal such as the record of an
earthquake. The results of the analysis are an amplitude term
and a phase term. The amplitude is normally plotted against the
period for the amplitude to give a Fourier amplitude spectrum
for the range of frequencies that are of interest. Since the
mathematical procedure is basically an integration of accelera-
tion with time, the Fourier amplitude has the units of velocity.
f A response spectrum is derived by a similar mathematical
process, but is slightly different in concept. It represents the
maximum response of a series of oscillators, having particular
periods and damping, when subjected to the shaking of the
earthquake. The result is also expressed in units of velocity
with the particular nomenclature depending on the precise
method used to derive the spectrum.
The Fourier spectrum can be generally described as the
energy available to shake structures having various natural
frequencies. The response spectrum gives the effect, in maxi-
mum velocity, of this available energy on simple structures
I
having various frequencies and damping. At zero damping the
two are very similar. Figure 3 shows a plot of both the Fourier
spectrum and the response spectrum with zero damping for the
Taft earthquake of 1952. Figure 4 shows the response spectrum
for the Parkfield record (Figure 1) for several levels of damping.
8. Near-Surface Amplification
The shock waves of an earthquake radiate outward from the
source (i. e. the slipped fault) through the deeper and relatively
more dense parts of the earth's crust. In this medium, the
Iwaves travel at high velocity and with relatively low amplitude.
However, as they approach the surface, the velocity of the
medium decreases and may become quite variable if layers of
different rock types are present. The overall effect is generally
an amplification of the wave or of certain frequencies within the
spectrum of the wave.
The most consistently applicable effect is the increase in
wave amplitude that accompanies the decrease in velocity. This
j relationship can be compared to laves of mechanics that require
the conservation of energy and momentum. In the case of earth-
quake waves, the energy of velocity is transferred to energy of
wave amplitude when the velocity decreases.
I A second effect is the amplification of certain frequencies
due to the thickness and velocity of near-surface layers of the
earth. The geometry of these layers controls the frequency of
shaking just like the geometry of a TV antenna controls the fre-
quency it receives best. A striking example is the very high
amplification of waves of 2. 5-second period (Figure 5) by the
stratification of the old lake beds on which Mexico City has been
built. This concentration of the energy in a very narrow fre-
quency range could be disastrous for structures with a matching
natural period. Just like the child in the swing, they would move
more and more with each successive pulse of the quake. Such
pronounced amplifications are unusual, but if present, they can
be extremely important.
D. RESPONSIBILITY FOR SEISMIC/GEOLOGIC
I
HAZARD EVALUATION
The responsibility for the evaluation of seismic and geologic
hazards lies with both the public and private sectors. The follo:v-
ing are suggested as guidelines in determining the distribution of
responsibility of the two sectors;
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Figure 4. Response spectra, 1966 Parkfield earthquake.
The curves are for 0, 2, 5 and 10/o damping.
from Housner & Trifunac, 1967.
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1. The owner or developer of a particular site should be
responsible for, and should bear the cost of the evalua-
tion of those hazards that can be evaluated on or in the
near-vicinity of the site.
Z. Those hazards that cannot be adequately evaluated at the
site should be considered for evaluation with public funds.
The nature of the funding may vary depending on the
extent of the impact of the hazard.
3. To facilitate the administration of public safety, it may
be desirable to undertake, with public funds, a general
evaluation of site-related hazards as they exist within
an entire jurisdiction.
The application of these guidelines to geologic/seismic
hazards depends on the type of hazard and the availability of in-
formation that can be used to evaluate the hazard. For example,
faults can be located on a particular site by the engineering
geologist during the site investigation. However, the rock
formations necessary for evaluation of the activity of the fault
are normally present only at certain critical locations, and
evaluation of activity may require a publicly funded investiga-
tion. On the other hand, landslides can normally be evaluated
as part of the site investigation funded by the owner or developer.
Public agencies may wish to fund a general investigation of land-
slide hazards to facilitate the administration of public safety, but
the final evaluation must be a part of site evaluation because addi-
tional hazard may be introduced by proposed modification of the
site.
The distribution of emphasis of this Seismic Safety Element
is based on these concepts. Those aspects of a particular
hazard that cannot be evaluated on a site-basis, or which can
more effeciently be evaluated on a regional basis, are emphasized
in this analysis. Those hazards that can be effectively evaluated
as a part of site investigations are treated in a general way with
the intent that the results be used to facilitate the administration
I of public safety. It should be emphasized that such generalized
evaluations should in no way be considered a substitute for a
detailed site investigation which must consider not only existing
conditions but also any hazards that may result from proposed
modifications of the site.
f
A key step in hazard evaluation is public involvement,
through their elected representatives, in the determination. of
acceptable levels of risk. All hazards involve risk. A technical
evaluation may determine certain risk parameters, but only the
public can determine the acceptable balance between the risk of
a hazard and the cost of mitigation. Because of the extreme
importance of this step
,p, primary emphasis is placed on the tech-
nical evaluation of available information relating to the risk of
lseismic hazards. The technical analysis can provide such infor-
mation, but only the public sector can make the final determina-
tion of the acceptability of those risks.
I
The relationship between the concepts discussed above and
the evaluation of specific seismic/geologic hazards is shown in
i Table 2. The primary responsibility for evaluation of each
aspect of a hazard is shown by an "XX", and by a "XXX" if a
i determination of acceptable risk is involved. Those aspects for
which either sector may commonly have a secondary responsi-
bility are indicated by an "X". The intent is to show the distri-
bution of responsibility for evaluation of a hazard; the overall
regulatory responsibility of government is not included.
1
L _
I
L
I
TABLE 2. DISTRIBUTION OF RESPONSIBILITY FOR
EVALUATION OF SEISMIC/GEOLOGIC HAZARDS
Responsible Sector
Hazard Public Private
1. Fault rupture:
a. Evaluation of fault XXX
b. Location at site XX
2. Earthquake shaking:
Ia. Sources of shaking XXX
b. General levels of shaking XX X
c, Effects on site XX
3. Tsunamic and seiche:
a. Risk of occurrence XXX
b. Effects on site XX
4, Dam failure:
a. Risk of occurrence XXX
b. Effects on site XX
5. Landslide:
a. Regional evaluation XX X
b. Effects on site XX
6. Liquefaction, settlement, &- subsidence:
a. Regional evaluation XX(1)
b. Effects on site XX
X Secondaryresponsibility
P Y
XX Primary responsibility
XXX Primary responsibility including determination of
acceptable risk
(1) Evaluation requires determination of expected shaking,
II ANALYSIS OF SEISMIC HAZARDS
! A. GEOLOGIC AND SEISMIC SETTING
Palm Desert is located in the Coachella Valley at the base of the
San Jacinto Mountains. The City itself is located on Recent (Holocene)
alluvium derived primarily from Dead Indian Creek (Figure 6). The
alluvium is composed of unconsolidated boulder and cobble gravel and
sand within and near the mouths of the canyons, grading to sand, silt
and clay in the lower parts of the Valley. These materials range in
thickness from a feather edge near the mountains to a 1000 feet or
more in the Valey.
The mountains west of the City rise abruptly from an elevation of
approximately 200 feet on the Valley floor to 10, 831 feet at San Jacinto
peak. The mountains to the immediate south and west of the City rise
to elevations of 4000 feet near Haystack Mountain and 5141 feet at Sheep
Mountain. They are- underlain by hard, resistant granitic and meta-
morphic rocks that form moderately steep to steep ridges and canyons.
Several large faults are present in the older granitic and meta-
morphic rocks south and west of the City (Figure 6). Available
Ievidence, however, indicates that none of these faults are active, and
that the Banning and Mission Creek faults to the northeast and the San
Jacinto fault to the southwest will be the principal sources of earthquake
shaking in the area.
1 The seismicity of the Palm Desert area and its relationship to the
seismicity of the Southern California region is shown on Figures 7, 8,
and 9. Figure 7 shows the location of epicenters of earthquakes with a
Richter magnitude of 4. 0 or greater. Figures 8 and 9 show only the
larger earthquakes. It is readily apparent from these regional maps
that Palm Desert is located in an area that is relatively "quiet" seismically.
However, earthquakes, including those of magnitude 6. 0 and greater,
are common to the north and northeast along the main branches of the
San Andreas fault (Mission Creek and Banning faults), and to the south
and southwest along the various branches of the San Jacinto fault. These
faults, or branches thereof, are generally considered active, and are
known to be capable of generating earthquakes of at least moderate
magnitude (6. 0-7. 0) that could be damaging in the Palm Desert area.
L
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x x
X
x
t21 i 0 x (\�\ + \\`. + '3
x J
\X x X �3t� xX\,
J x x 7t
1 l _>E---X—_'-x�i<v X x
< x � X X�Y. X .`
1 X X x \ X
X xx x x
X x
+ x X�<X Xy x X X S�< x \
+ _9 ..X X x x,x- x x X �Y.Y'' > 2 X
Xx X
X yx X x X x
EPiCENTEft S MACLS X X x �� x � ; x
l
I N < 5 x X ,<�x�c7< xx
4
5 N 6 X x x � 1 X ;< ><XX,,O<
x>0OO<
119 117 x iiG x i15
».�;xY.
xx XXXXX
x X '°` x xxx x
Figure 7. Map showing location of earthquake epicenters, 4, 0 and
greater, 1932-1972, Southern California region
i_.
I
I
+ + M + +
t
Xx
x�
+ + x x 37 in
x
I x
x< ,ter
x x
1 x x
x x x x
x
XX
121 1 -0 X x 33
x t �,
x X X XXx
I
EPTCEWER STMB3LS x x X. \ x x? \� x
M < 4 x _
L_ ?GYXX
118 117 iiG i15 -. x
X
x X yx X
Figure 8. Map showing location of earthquake epicenters, 5. 0 and
greater, 1932-1972, Southern California region
L_
r
I + y 1 VV + +
JV
+ + 37 f
+ '+'
1
XX
X
+ X + 35
i
x
121 1 Q + + 33
i
+ i 9 + f X + 32
iEPICENTER \ X C*�
6 { M < x \X
6xC
118 117 116 11S
x X
Figure 9. Map showing location of earthquake epicenters, 6. 0 and
greater, 1932-197Z, Southern California region
{
B. FAULTING
1 , A ctive Faults
( The term "active fault" has been used by geologists and
geophysicists for many years to describe faults which are known
to be the source of earthquakes or which are known to have
moved at the surface during historic time. As long as the use
of this term was limited to the earth science professions where
the limitations of the data are well understood, problems related.
to a precise definition were minimal. However, the inclusion of
the term in legislation at the State level has resulted in an effort
by various State agencies and the several professional societies
involved to clearly define "active fault".
The definitions of "potentially active fault" by the State
Geologist (Slosson, 1973) and "active fault" by the State Mining
and Geology Board (1973), discussed in the Introduction, are of
considerable help, but the practical aspects of definitive evalua-
tion remain to be established. Also, these definitions relate to
activity as determined by, and as applied to, the hazard of -fault
rupture. Activity as may be suggested by earthquake epicenter
!, locations is not defined, and the relationship between evaluations
within the Special Studies Zones and the more general hazard of
j earthquake shaking is as yet unclear.
lWhile a high degree of conservatism may be feasible in the
regulation of construction along active or potentially active faults,
i,
the use of the same criteria in establishing codes relating to
hazards from earthquake shaking may have profound economic
and social impacts.
The activity of a fault is .related to recurrence rate which can
be derived in at least three different ways:
1 . The analysis of the seismicity of a fault may reveal
k relationships that indicate that, at least statistically,
earthquakes of particular magnitudes recur at regular
i rates. Data suitable for this type of analysis is avail-
able for only about the last 40 years.
Z. The measurement of the movement of the earth on either
side of a fault, or crustal strain, can sometimes be
derived from survey data. This information is available
for a longer period of time, but movement is often so
i_
small it is not detectable from ordinary data. Very
accurate surveys have been conducted in recent years,
but across only a few faults. If the rate of accumulation
of strain is known, then the amount of time necessary to
accumulate the strain necessary for an earthquake of a
particular magnitude can be estimated from other
relationships.
3. The relationship of unique rock units on either side of a
fault may yield the geologic slip rate if the ages of the
unique units are known. The principal problem with this
method is the assumption that rates obtained for a time
span of several million, or several tens of millions of
years are valid today.
The applicability of any of the above methods depends on the
data available. Of the faults pertinent to this investigation, the
ISan Andreas and San Jacinto are the best known, and data are
available with which to utilize all three methods. Therefore, these
faults will be considered first, and to some extent will serve as a
icomparison in the analysis of the lesser known faults.
2. San Andreas Fault
The San Andreas fault in the Palm Desert area is divided into f
two major branches. The Banning fault is the closest, and is approxi-
mately 2. 5 miles northeast of the nearest part of the City (Figure 6).
The Mission Creek fault is approximately 2. 5 miles further to the
I northeast, and is about 5 miles from the City at its nearest point.
Neither fault, nor any known branches thereof, is considered suffi-
ciently close to cause ground rupture within the City, but either
could be significant sources of earthquake shaking in the City.
While both faults are considered branches of the San Andreas
fault, the evidence for Recent movement is considerably different.
i Allen (1957) notes that: "There is little evidence of Recent strike-
i
slip movement (on the Banning fault) in the San Gorgonio Pass area,
but earlier lateral movements are strongly suggested". The Mission
Creek fault, on the other hand, "is marked by Recent scarps from
Desert Hot Springs to its junction with the Banning fault near Biskra
Palms".
' I
A significant difference between the two branches is also apparent
in physiographic features near Thousand Palms Oasis. Drainage
patterns are offset approximately 3000 feet in a right lateral sense
i_
i
I
along the Mission Creek fault. Pushwalla Creek can be considered
a "classic" example of offset drainage due to Recent faulting. On the
other hand, drainage patterns across the Banning fault in this area
show no evidence of offset. Alluvial fans are generally symetrical
around the canyons from which they are derived on the opposite side
Iof the fault, and locally incised channels cross the fault without offset.
This relationship is consistent with that noted by Allen (1957) for the
Banning fault in that "the entrenched canyon of Whitewater River
should be displaced if this type of Recent movement (lateral offset)
had been large'.'.
IThe relationships discussed above and the general distribution of
seismicity discussed previously strongly suggest that while the Banning
branch of the San Andreas was active during Quaternary time (last
2, 000, 000 to 3, 000, 000 years), it is the Mission Creek branch that
has been actively moving during Recent time (last 10, 000 to 11, 000
years). Of the two branches the Mission Creek fault in the most
likely source of strong shaking at Palm Desert.
3. San Jacinto Fault
I
The San Jacinto fault extends from Cajon Pass to Mexico as a
series of en echelon or branching segments of a relatively continuous
fault zone. Geomorphic features indicating Recent movement have
been mapped along various segments (Sharp, 1972), and numerous
epicenters of earthquakes in the magnitude 6+ range have been located
along the fault. The most recent of these, the Borrego Mountain
earthquake of April 9, 1968, has been studied in great detail (U. S.
Geological Survey, 1972).
Ck
4, Recurrenf Intervals for the San Andreas and San Jacinto Faults
1 _
Data available from previous studies (Envicom, 1974) bearing on
the recurrence of earthquakes on the San Andreas and San Jacinto faults
can be summarized as follows:
i
i
I
San Andreas Fault San Jacinto Fault
Seismcity (Point recurrence 526 years 200 years
interval for magnitude 6. 5
earthquake)
Crustal Strain rate 0. 20 ft/yr 0. 08 ft/yr
i
Theoretical recurrence rate (6 cm/yr) (2. 4 cm/yr)
for magnitude 6. 5* 10 years 25 years
Recent or Quaternary movement 0. 08 ft/yr 0. 008 ft/yr
Theoretical recurrence rate (2. 4 cm/yr) (0. 25 cm/yr)
for magnitude 6. 5* 25 years 240 years
'eAssumes 60 cm displacement for magnitude 6. 5 earthquake.
Of the above rates, seismicity and crustal strain are related in
that they are derived from the relatively short sample interval of
40 years or less. Recent movement, on the other hand, is based
on time periods on the order of 10, 000 to 302 000 years.
The large difference in the recurrence intervals for the San
Andreas fault can be explained if it is assumed that approximately
90% of the accumulating strain is being stored for larger earthquakes,
and that the observed seismicity represents only about 10%of the
strain. Assuming an upper limit of magnitude 7. 5 for these "larger
earthquakes" (Greensfelder, 1973) and a fault slip of 3 meters
i (Bonilla and Buchanan, 1970) accompanying such an earthquake,
( the recurrence intervals for 90 fo of the two strain or movement
rates are as follows:
Recurrence Interval
i
Source Rate 90% of Rate for Magnitude 7. 5
Crustal strain 6 cm/yr 5. 4 cm/yr 55 years
Recent movement 2. 4 cm/yr 2. 2 cm/yr 136 years
L_
I
i
f
I _
Recurrence rates for the San Jacinto fault are more consistent_
This fault has a well established history of being the source of earth-
quakes in the range of magnitude 6. 0-7. 0 at relatively frequent
intervals. The recurrence interval of 200 years for a magnitude
6. 5 event is considered reliable. The crustal strain value is based
on a relatively short period of measurement. It is corroborated in
part by the offsets of entrenched streams, but the historic record
f is so consistent, it is deemed the more appropriate. The most
probable earthquake is considered the magnitude 6. 5 event, but the
jmaximum probable of 7. 5 (Greensfelder, 1973) is considered possible.
fThe indicated recurrence interval for such an event, however, is
approximately 700 years.
I
1 5. Concealed Faults on the Southwest Side of the Coachella Valley
Several lines of evidence are noted by Sharp (1972B) as indicating
the presence of a fault or faults burried under the alluvium on the
southwest side of the Coachella Valley. First, the large difference
in elevation between the San Jacinto and Santa Rosa Mountains and the
steepness of the slopes suggest uplift along a fault. Second, there is
j a pronounced gravity gradient along the line of the proposed fault
and third, structure of the exposed rocks suggests that downfolding
fcannot account for the gravity gradient. The precise location of the
fault is not known, and its location on Plate I is based primarily on
i
the gravity anomaly. However, the lack of surface expression that
precludes a more precise location also indicates that this fault "has
been inactive for a relatively long period" (Sharp 1972B). i
l I -
I_ 6. ( Potential for Sympathetic Movement
Relatively small movements are also known to occur along faults
- as the result of the shaking generated by movements on other faults.
The San Andreas, for example, moved approximately 1. 5 cm at Red
Canyon southeast of Indio in response to the shaking generated by
the Borrego Mountain earthquake on the San Jacinto fault (Allen et al. ,
1972). Known occurrences have generally been limited to active or
potentially active faults except in areas of very strong ground shaking.
While this possibility cannot be completely discounted, it is not con-
sidered a significant hazard on faults in Palm Springs.
I
7. Summary of Faulting
Major faults located within the City limits of Palm Desert include
the faults in those in the granitic and metamorphic rocks in the western
and southern part of the City, and the South Pass fault group in the northern
part of the City. These faults were probably active during the early
Quaternary uplift of the San Jacinto mountains, but there is no evidence
to indicate that they are active today.
Geologic hazard zones have been established by the State Ceologist
as required by the Alquist-Priolo Act (SB 520) along the San Jacinto
fault to the southwest and along the several branches of the San Andreas
fault (Garnet Hill,- Banning, and Mission Creek) to the northeast. No
such zones have been established within the cityllimits of Palm Desert,
and none are anticipated on the basis of existing information.
( Information bearing on the recurrence of earthquakes on the San
Jacinto and San Andreas faults has been developed in the preceeding
sections. This information is pertinent to Palm Desert in that it
bears on the risk of earthquake shaking in the City. While the results
of analysis using various` types of data are somewhat inconsistent,
the following are considered the most important to the risk of earth-
quake shaking at Palm Desert
1. The San Jacinto fault is one of, if not the, most active
faults in California. It has a well established pattern
as the source of numerous moderate sized earthquakes
in the range of magnitude 6 to 7 about once every 12 years
at some point along the fault and about every 200 years at
any given point. Recent activity has centered primarily on
the southern segments of the fault, but activity should
increase on the northern segments nearer Palm Desert in I
the near future.
2. While an earthquake of magnitude 6. 5 is considered the most
probable event on the San Jacinto fault, a larger event of
y about magnitude 7. 5 should be considered as a possibility,
_ particularly in the design of the more important or critical
structures.
3. The San Andreas in the Palm Desert area exhibits a relatively
low level of seismicity. The recurrence interval for a magnitude
6. 5 earthquake resulting from slip along any particular part of
�- the fault is approximately 500 years.
I
L_
I
4. Crustal strain (regional less San Jacinto movement) and Recent
and late Pleistocene movement, however, suggest a much
higher level of activity. If these indicated rates of movement
are converted to a theoretical recurrence interval for a
i
magnitude 6. 5 earthquake, it is only 25 years or less or one-
tenth or less that from seismicity.
5. Data on movement of the San Andreas fault system along its
entire length indicates rates of movement in the range of 5 to 8
cm/yr are likely. Only about one-third of this can be accounted
for along the San Jacinto fault, leaving the San Andreas itself
about twice as active as the San Jacinto.
I6. The San Andreas fault in the Palm Desert I area is generally
considered to be part of an "active area" rather than one of
the "locked segments" of the fault. A "great" earthquake
(magnitude 7. 8 or more) is, therefore, considered unlikely.
A "major" earthquake, however, with a magnitude of approxi-
mately 7. 5, is considered likely.
1 7. Recurrence data is somewhat conflicting, but "best estimates"
for expected earthquakes are as follows:
Fault and Earthquake Magnitude Recurrence Interval
San Jacinto fault
Magnitude 6. 5 200 years
Magnitude 7. 5 500 years
San Andreas fault
Magnitude 7. 5 50-150 years
i
C. EARTHQUAKE SHAKING
1. Sources of Expected Shaking
The main sources of earthquake shaking at Palm Desert : are the
San Andreas fault on the northeast and the San Jacinto fault on the
southwest. Information bearing on the risk of occurrence of earth-
quakes of various magnitudes on these faults has been developed in
the preceeding section. The following are recommended for consi-
deration as the earthquakes that should be taken into account for
various types of facilities is as follows:
Magnitude of Earthquake
1 Use San Andreas Fault San Jacinto Fault
JCritical Facilities 7. 5 7. 5
Normal Commercial Facilities 7. 0 6. 5
i
Normal Residential Facilities 6. 5 6. 5
The engineering characteristics of these earthquakes are developed
in the following sections of this report.
2. Intensity of Recorded Earthquakes
i
The intensity of shaking during past earthquakes is pertinent to the
problem of predicting the expected shaking during future earthquakes
because: 1) it can serve as a rough check on the more quantitative
methodology to be used to develop data useful to engineers; and, 2)
variations in shaking experienced at locations on different types of
materials can be a rough check on the relative differences in shaking
expected in the various microzones. Some information is available
on shaking intensities in nearby Palm Springs, but detailed data, suffi-
cient to be of use in checking the microzonation, is not available for
Palm Desert.
The earliest earthquake in the area for which information is
available was the May 1868 Dos Palmas earthquake centered near the
northeast end of the Salton Sea. Based on a report of Holden, Wood
(Wood and Heck, 1966) estimates the maximum intensity at Mexcalli
IX or perhaps X. Proctor (Lamar, Merifield and Proctor, 1973)
shows the length of rupture as approximately 30 miles along the
i
northeast shore of the Salton Sea. Based on this length of rupture,
the Richter magnitude would have been approximately 7.
i
The closest earthquake to Palm Desert which was of significant
magnitude and for which any detailed data is available is the Desert
Hot Springs earthquake of December 4, 1948. The maximum
intensity of VII was felt from Cabazan, Morongo Valley, and
Twentynine Palms on the north to Indio on the south. Reports
(Murphy and Ulrich, 1951) indicating Mercalli intensity of VII
at nearby Palm Springs are as follows: I
I "Palm Springs — Center Building, a two-story ultra-modern
building of steel and concrete with large patios. Two 9 by 12-
foot plate glass windows broken, many plaster cracks both inside
and outside, cracks seemingly followed steel in concrete.
ID
Rexall drugstore — One-story building. Large plaster crack
in concrete block front, crack showing inside only about 8 feet
above ground level. Glass not broken.
Plaza theater — Rustic finish with open ceiling of 10 by 12-
inch bolted beams, block walls. No damage to structure. Loose
colored glass plates in bottoms of several chandeliers fell out
injuring patronx. About 50 children in theater left hurriedly.
Hotel del Tahquitz — Rather old two-story adobe structure
reinforced by addition of a number of columns and beams
duplicating the original design. Building has gone through several.
local earthquakes. Although a number of cracks developed and
f old ones were further widened, there appeared to be no structural
damage.
Bullocks — Modern two-story steel, concrete, and plaster
structure. Outside damage was to plate glass windows were
4 panes 6 by 6 feet were shattered. Larger panes were riot.
Interior shows many small plaster cracks especially where one
building material joined another as at baseboard and at-partitions
butting up against a wall. On the second floor 6 fluorescent
hanging fixtures with decorative glass bottoms and slides broke
or dropped their glass. No apparent structural damage.
Carnell property — Solid concrete two-story structure with
tile roof. Small cracks showed in walls and a number of times
were loosened, quite a few dropping to street both to south and
west. Small antique shop at rear of this building (one-story
concrete block about 18-foot square with tile roof) lost its
chimney. A number of objects fell from shelves in all directions-
Francis Stephens School — A rambling one-story grammar
school. Minor stucco cracks. "
Recent earthquakes of intensity (Modified Mercalli Scale) V or
greater at nearby Palm Springs are summarized in Table 3. The Desert
j Hot Springs earthquake discussed above caused the highest intensity
I of shaking. Data from this earthquake is pertinent to the shaking
analysis; the remaining earthquakes are included primarily for
informational purposes.
TABLE 3. (SUMMARY OF RECENT EARTHQUAKES OF
INTENSITY (MODIFIED MERCALLI SCALE) V OR
GREATER AT PALM SPRINGS
Distance to
Richter Maximum Intensity at Epicenter
Date Magnitude Intensity Palm Springs (Miles)
March 25, 1937 6. 0 VII VI 33
May 18, 1940 6. 5-7. 1* X V 125
October 21, 1942 6. 5 VII V 87
August 15, 1945 5. 7 VI V 62
December 4, 1948 6. 5 VII VII 12
March 19, 1954 6. 2 VI VI 56
i April 9, 1968 6. 5 VII VI-V 73
1 *The 1940 Imperial Valley earthquake, originally assigned a magnitude
j of 7. 1, has recently been dhanged to 6. 5.
3. Engineering Characteristics of Expected Earthquakes
(- a. Methodology r
The derivation of the engineering characteristics of a particular
earthquake at a particular site is normally a two-step process.
These steps are the two considerations that have been discussed in
idescribing the changes in earthquake.intensity; that is, distance to
the source of the earthquake and local conditions. Where the distance
factor is treated as the travel path in deep bedrock, the effect of local
conditions is the near-surface amplification of the waves as they travel
upward through layered rocks. The mathematics and geometry of this
calculation are shown in Figure 10. 1 The distance problem is a relatively
simple part of the calculation. However, near-surface amplification
and the choice of type earthquakes are more complex problems to be
discussed in detail in the next two sections.
8 � Site 4,
A) •t
Poch
I
The spectrums SVI T Of the earthquake, E7 recorded at site 19
at- distance dy from the source of the earthquake is:
SV1 = E Al
di
where A is the hear—surface lificaticn of the bedrock ,imntion►
l
dampirt;� in bedrock is neA l iE!ib l e9 and spreading is cylindrical .
Likewise7 the spectrum at site 2 is:
SV2 = E A 2
d2
Therefore:
SV2 = SVI dl A
�" d2 A2
Where SVi , SV2t A, , and A2 are comps ex furZctians of frequency.
Figure 10. IGeometry and mathematics of computation of the engineering
characteristics of an earthquake.
i
b. Near-Surface Amplification
1) Physical Principles
The amplification of earthquake waves traveling through a media
of differing physical characteristics (i. e. layered rocks) is based on
two physical principles: conservation of energy, and the selective
amplification of resonant frequencies.
The principle of conservation of energy applies to the transforma-
tion of the physical properties of a wave as it travels from the very
fast, dense rocks at depth to the much slower, less dense rocks or
soils at the surface. In this conversion, the energy of wave velocity
is converted to energy of wave amplitude. The mathematical expression
for this change as a wave travels from layer 1 to layer 2 is:
1
AR D2V2
=
D1 V1
where: AR = amplification ratio (layer 2 to layer 1),
D1 = density of layer 1,
D2 = density of layer 2,
V1 = velocity of layer 1, and
t V2 = velocity of layer 2.
The above equation involves both velocity and density, but
velocity is by far the most important. 1n the overall change from
granite at depth to an average soil at the surface, the density will
typically change from 2. 7 to about 1. 5; a ratio of less than 2:1.
Velocity (shear-wave) on the other hand will typically change from
about 11, 000 ft/sec to less than 500 ft/sec; a ratio of more than
20:1, and 10 times the density change.
The selective amplification of resonant frequencies is more
I complex, but in simple terms, the rock layers act somewhat like
a series of organ pipes that amplify waves of particular frequencies.
The frequencies that are amplified are those that form a one-quater-
wavelength standing wave in the layer, and all higher modes. The
dominant periods of a layer are thus:
4 H 4 H 4 H
T 1 V' 3 V' 5 V etc.
where: T = dominant period,
H = layer thickness, and
V = layer velocity (shear wave).
For most sites, with many layers of varying thickness and
a gradual increase of velocity with depth, selective amplification
is secondary in importance to the more general amplification due
to decreasing velocity and density. However, where there is a
very pronounced velocity change at relatively shallow depth, as
in the Mexico City area discussed in the Introduction, the con-
centration of energy in a narrow frequency range can be very
important for structures having a similar natural period of
vibration.
In addition to the two principles considered above, damping
can be important for sites with thick layered sequences. Waves
traveling in fast, dense rocks such as granite are almost un-
affected by damping, but unconsolidated materials such as soils,
soft sands and shales can effectively damp earthquake waves if
they are present in sufficient thickness. Overall, the effect is
to cancel a part of the wave amplification of the slow, less dense
rocks, because rocks with high amplification characteristics
generally have high damping factors. For damping to be effec-
tive, however, thick layers are required. Thus, lowvelocity
materials may be "good" or "bad". If, they are present as a
relatively thin layer (15-100 feet), amplification may be very
significant. However, if they are present as very thick layers
(several thousands of feet), damping can be effective in reducing
the amplification normally expected at sites underlain by low
velocity rocks.
From the discussion above it is apparent that the most
important physical characteristic of a site is the velocity or
velocities of the layers underlying the site. Density is less
important, and it can be estimated from velocity if the rock
types are known. Damping is important for thick sections, and
it too is closely related to velocity. Thus, if the velocity of the
wave type of interest is known, the density and damping can
generally be estimated to an acceptable degree of accuracy.
�I
Earthquake shaking is the result of complex combinations
of several types of vibrational waves. The primary components
of earthquake waves are the so-called body waves that travel
through the deeper parts of the earth's crust. Body waves include
Un
__`__— —`t"`"o—\ rlission Cre�K -t u�T
1a
Ft
f ti a
1 e j
II n r� cp I
c t 1 + •!_1•--
o o10
� .. O'q
10
10
r•
a kd
4 p LA
pia l•'
1� OnLA
I �
f
m �
I
(.n
- - _ 5,an Jac.1ni"o
i
n
primary P wave r compressional waves and the secondary
the z i o com re
P Y
( ) y
(S-wave) or shear waves. For waves traveling at depth, and
i refracted upward to the site (Figure 11), ;the P-waves, vibrating
parallel to the propagation direction, dominate the vertical com-
ponent of shaking. The S-waves arrive later and vibrate normal
to the direction of propagation; they make up the major part of
the damage-inducing, horizontal components of shaking. Thus,
1 it is the shear waves that are of primary importance in the
analysis of earthquake shaking.
2) Model Analysis
The analysis of near-surface amplification at Palm Desert
is based on five computer-generated models shown in Figures 12 i
through 16. 1 Velocity data is not available for specific locations in
Palm Desert, but the rocks and soils are similar to those in other ;
parts of Southern California for which good data is available (Duke
and Leeds, 1962 and Duke et al, 1971). Shear-wave, density, and
damping for materials at Palm Desert ! were estimated from these
sources, and layered models were developed for various thicknesses
of alluvium over hard bedrock. The amplification spectra were
computed and plotted by Mr. J. A. Johnson using the latest computer
programs developed at the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute
at UCLA. The application of these spectra will be discussed further
under Microzonatibn..
C. Type Earthquakes
Earthquakes to be considered in the analysis of expected ground
shaking include magnitudes 7. 5, 7. 0, and 6. 5 on either the San
Andreas or San Jacinto faults. The strong motion of the 1940 Imperial
Valley earthquake of magnitude 6. 5 was recorded at a distance of about
5 miles, and is a good, local example of a magnitude 6. 5 earthquake.
The response spectrum of one component of this record, and smoothed
envelopes of the response curves for both horizontal components for
0, 5, and 10% of critical damping are shown on Figure 17. It is
considered conservative for this magnitude because rupture along the
fault plane extended to the surface, and because the duration of
shaking was longer than most 6. 5-magnitude events.
The strong motion for the magnitude 7. 5 event is taken from the
1952 Kern County earthquake (magnitude 7. 7) as recorded at Taft.
The distance is larger than desired (28 miles from fault to recording
site), but very few records are available for earthquakes of this
magnitude. The response spectrum of one component of this record,
I
i
I
i
L^.
( i
I �
i
t
I L � 9
1
I t
1
i .
S I 111 �
j
I -
I `E9 T vD
1
Figure 12. Amplification spectrum for bedrock site condition with 25 feet
of weathered material over hard rock
i
�I
E{
!E
{ 16
1 { `
I t �
t
t
-
�
L-•
i.r3 ' !
i
ri
i
I !
Figure 13. (Amplification spectrum for 60 feet of alluvium
over hard bedrock
i
i
- t
i
i I
12
I in t l
2.511
=,r Gii
Lhl r
Figure 14. 'Amplification spectrum for 200 feet of alluvium
over hard bedrock
i
I
, 1 -
1
1
1
I_-
-
+.-1 j! I 01
"It I
L , I
f
+ 1
t i
iJ. ID 1 . 20 1 _ 51D
T
\.. D
Figure 15. Amplification spectrum for 500 feet of alluvium
over hard bedrock
i
f
i
I I
CD
_'
)'Z2 I
t;_
-? {
81
31
I 1
Of
FER1010
Figure 16. Amplification spectrum for 1000 feet of alluvium
over hard bedrock
I IMPERIAL VALLEY EARTIHOURKE MAY 18 , 1911-0 - 2037 PST
III0001 0,001 .0 EL CENTRO SITE 1MPERISL VHLLEY JRRJGflTIDN DISTRICT CCXP 300t'
DRNPING YRLLES RRE 0. 2, 5. 10 RNr 20 PERCENT Or c91flcRL
400 I ` 400
1 I
200 ��d�p 9c ( I - 6'.-O- 2U0
p0 Cl jP t `oce Y°O
�r• I .SQ
100 - IOU
80 �9 — I — �i 71 80
O
1 40 1 70. 4U Js
A O
20 20
c.)
a�
8 ' 1 1 _ 4 8
I ~ 6 I �� `I o�p 6
O 4
J �� 02
W
>
2 .O °'p° 2
•o � ° o`er
\, •OF p0
I / f' •02 / � � Op`i' � I
.8
I O�
O —8 •O— O .6
4 , Opp 4
.2
I I 1 1 1 I � I
j .04 .06 .03 .1 .2 4 111 6 .8 1 2 4' r '6 8 10 20
PERIOD (secs)
Figure 17. !Response spectra of one component of the El Centro
record of the 1940 Imperial Valley earthquake. The
dashed curves are smoothed envelopes of the two
horizontal components for 0, 5, and 10 jo critical '
damping
f
and smoothed envelopes of the response curves for both horizontal
components for 0, 5, and 10% of critical damping are shown on
Figure 18.
Analysis for the magnitude 7. 0 event is based on a logarithmic
average of the results for the 7. 5 and 6. 5 events.
d. Microzonation
1 Methodology
The spectrum of the ground motion at a site within the City can
be computed using the following equation (see also Figure 30):
dl A2
SV2 SV1 d2 Al
I
where: SV2 = velocity spectrum at the site,
SV1 = velocity spectrum of the "type earthquake",
di = distance, in bedrock, of the "type earthquake"
record from the earthquake source,
d2 = distance, in bedrock, of the site from the earth-
quake source,
(- A1 = amplification spectrum of site of the "type
J earthquake" record, and
A2 = amplification spectrum of the site.
In the equation above, the distance factors are simplified from a
- more complex equation assuming cylindrical spreading from a
line source and negligible damping in bedrock (granite or meta-
morphic rocks). The spectral relationships are based on linear
system theory (Duke et al, 1970) valid for the Fourier spectra
of the ground motion. Their application to the response spectra
of the ground motion at values of 0-10% of critical damping is an
approximation considered adequate for the generalization necessary
in zoning an area the size of Palm Desert. ' -
The mathematical expression above is composed of two basic
parts: 1) a ratio expressing the effect of differences in distance
from the source of the earthquake; and, 2) a ratio expressing the
effect of differing site conditions. These two parts of the formula.
are also the two basic steps of the zonation process. IV
L
KERN COUNTY , CALIFORNIA EABTHOUAKE JULY 21 , 1952 — 011-53 PDT
IIIR004 52.002.0 TRFT LINCOLN SCHOOL TUNNEL C0M.- S 6 9 E
i
DAMPING ULUES ARE 0> 2, 5, 10 RNO 20 PERCENT OF CRITICRL
400
OKI
4C0
�
200 KO
��' G-o°° 200
p
cc� 00
900
o�• �yQ
100 20—�0� O 110 I 100
1 -�=9 \
$o % so
0
60 \0 \ I ( (600° — 60
40 n,o
20
f ((( \ a
l OFF" _ I 4 r �-• 20
10 lo
} s �� — I , `� a
y I O 4 u 4
/ <
J
W o�
; .
2 ► -O�, opp� 2
I r ..
.iT 06` .Op
R� •Op ,pp�
l r 0i O O r
°0 I,
' -4 'off - � .4
.2
1 .04 .06 .08 .1 .2 .4 _6 .8 1 2 4 6 8 10 20
PERIOD (secs)
Figure 18. (Response spectra of one component of the Taft record
of the 1952 Kern County earthquake. The dashed curves
are smoothed envelopes of the two horizontal components
for 0, 5, and 10% critical damping.
2) Zone Boundaries Based on Distance
The effect of distance is a simple inverse proportionality
relationship. That is, for each doubling of distance, the spectral
velocities decrease by a factor of two. Two aspects of this rela-
tionaship are important to the choice of zone boundaries. First,
if a near-constant difference in the range of shaking properties
( across the zones is desired, then the zones will be narrow near
the source of the earthquake, and double in width away from the
source. Second, the variation due to distance is gradational, and
the choice of the particular distances from the fault that is the
source of the earthquake is arbitrary.
The distance zonation at Palm Desert is based on the following
considerations.
( 1. The consideration of two faults as the sources of the expected
earthquakes is simplified if the distance zones are symetrical
about a line half way between the faults. This medial line,
half way between the nearest branch of the San Jacinto fault
and the Mission Creek branch of the San Andreas fault,
bisects Zone III.
2. Arbitrary divisions of otherwise relatively continuous parts
of the City should be avoided if possible.
3. The zones should be broad enough to reflect the assumptions
and generalization of the analysis that are the result of a
j limited amount of basic data. However, they should not
be so broad that the resulting shaking criteria would not
Ibe resonably applicable to all parts of the zone.
3) Zone Boundaries Based on Site Conditions
Site conditions at Palm Desert can be divided into two basic
types: bedrock of metamorphic or granitic rocks, and alluvial
areas. The response of the bedrock will vary somewhat depending
on the degree of and thickness of weathering, but this will be minor
in comparison to the large differences between bedrock and alluvial
sites.
The response of the alluvium was investigated using the near-
surface amplification models discussed previously. Models were
computed for 0, 60, 200, 500, and 1000 feet of alluvium over bedrock ,
(Figures 12 through 36), with the results varying in a logical and
regular manner. The thin alluvium is characterized by a strong
'1 amplification in the low-period (high frequency) range. Increasing
the thickness of alluvium decreases the amount of amplification
but also "spreads it out'' over an increasingly high range of
periods (lower frequencies). The variations in amplificatiorl
between thicknesses of alluvium of about 200 to 1000 feet are
considered as within a range that can reasonably be lumped
within one zone. At thicknesses of less than 200 feet the condition
known as the "edge effect" becomes pronounced, and the amplification
approximately doubles in the range of periods that is most significant
for the low-rise construction (less than 5 stories) present at Palm
Desert. The models can be generalized as follows:
Short-Period Transition Long-Period
Thickness of Amplification Period Amplification
Alluvium (feet) Factor (Seconds) Factor
0 3 0. 1 2
0 (with 9 0. 1 2
25' weathered.layer)
60 16 0. 3 2
I 200 12 0. 5 2, 5
500 10 1. 0 3. 0
1000 8 1 . 8 3. 0
From the above, three zones based on site conditions are defined
with amplification characteristics as follows:
Short-Period Transition Long-Period
Zone Designation Amplification Period Amplification
and Characteristic Factor (Seconds) Factor
C Bedrock (firm to 3 0. 1 2
hard)
B Alluvium, 200' or 15 0. 1-0. 5 2
less
A Alluvium, more 10 1. 0 j 3
than 200'
i
In addition to the basic rock and soil types discussed above, there
is an older and firmer alluvial unit in the Cahuilla Hills area. Its
characteristics are such as to reduce the near-surface amplification
particularly where the unit is thin as it is near Cahuilla Hills. Specific
velocity data are not available, but the general physical characteristics
of this unit indicate that the near-surface amplification should be reduced
by about one-third. Since this coincides approximately with the ampli-
fication levels for the "A" zone, the "B" zone (area of thin alluvium)
has been deleted in the area of the older alluvium.
I
1
i _
i
i
I
200
F, I All
Wok XV
50
cr o
0 ; GG
Ln
2
CL
v
0
V •�
O I
10
0
a� �✓
l
5
r
2 . ` "\4
.,
.05 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.5 1.0 2:0 3.0
Period (sec.)
Figure 19. 'IResponse spectra, type 1
I
200
100 1 '
ix f A I cZ
� 1
- i ..- ACC
\ (no
50
2
W _ .
C
CL
c 20
o
U
> 10
— a
1
I I
I j
YX
2
I
1
05 0.1 0.2 0,3 0.5 .1.0 2.0 3.0
Period (sec.)
Figure 21. Response spectra, type 3
`<4
200'r< K
></\<
J
Ifl0 h t
`
fir
G
cn �O
O
20
0
U /
O /.
3 'f
�
10 I V
Y
! I / -
t i
r � \
5
2 �!
I I
.05 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.5 1.0 2.0 3.0
Period (sec.)
l
Figure 22. Response spectra, type 4
I
I
� � 1
200
100 �� ►
► j
� ,,
► �.
G
CL
20 Ov
>, 0
U
O
> >14
/
�
10 c i
AN
5 d
►
f
I 2
1
.05 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.5 1.0 2.0 3.0
Period (sec.)
Figure 23. Response spectra, type 5
I !�
200
� n
`� 1 �. I '`� A� c)� I A' � I
I I X
or.
50
2
U �d
I �!� a,o .�� I o•
N
a \
S 20
� O !
U
' O
� v i
>
W 10 I !
�! V
5
i
2
.05 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.5 1.0 2.0 3.0
j Period (sec.)
Figure 24. Response spectra, type 6
l
i
200
< x
100
tiS ,9c
50
4�.
L
Cl 20 �\
� O
0
Cv 10 /
i
v
a
i
5
N,l_ \
2
i
.05 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.5 1.0 2.0 3.0
Period (sec.)
i
Figure 26. Response spectra, type 8
i
t
/x
200
W O.
/o
.�
50 O� f
M1
U
U
lv
CL i
c. 20 O
a O I
U
U
� 10
> \
►=
7Zu-
1 t
I
5
2
.05 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.5 1.0 2.0 3.0
Period (sec.)
Figure 27. Response spectra, type 9
i
t v
200
\ / 1�v AA
�j
50
Qr
GQ `�
U
n
v
20
f U D�
o
AV
> 10' 1
D �
2
r
F `)
►
.05 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.5 1.0 2.0 3.0
Period (sec.)
Figure 28. Response spectra, type 10
1
i
f �
I
I
I
200 t
I"
100
50
.- GG
UCn
�d
� � 2
C I
a.
20 `` q
41
U �
O
O
O ,Q ,
V
5
L
2 V
i
.05 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.5 1.0 2.0 3.0
Period (sec.)
Figure 29. Response spectra, type 11
i
200� N
< ><
KX
Iflo ,
50
/>G
L O
n 20 I
zi
v 0� �f i
O
N
> 10 ✓ i
i -
a
5
�-
2
i
\<
.05 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.5 1.0 2.0 3.0
i
Period (ssc.)
Figure 30. Response spectra, type 12
i „
N A \nA
200
100
� Ix
IXV
50
J
OL
120 I O
I4
U
iO
10. I
I O I
i
I I
5
L
2 r
I +
1 I
.05 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.5 1.0 2.0 3.0
i
Period (sec.)
Figure 31. Response spectra, type 13
s
200
100
50X�Z
a)
20
CL Z
o
v
NJ
(0
a� 17
5 XZ
1
i 2
I
.05 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.5 1.0 2.0 3.0
Period (sec.)
i
Figure 20. Response spectra, type 2
i
200
l
l oo
rQr.
i
CL
-
L
v
20 0'
V
>
O�
Q�
10 �
n)
0
a>
i
5 le
IVV / >
2
I ,
.05 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.5 I.0 2.0 3.0
Period (sec.)
Figure 32. Response spectra, type 14
L
A A
200 '
I
100 1
1
I �co i i
Q,.
Q /J
IU dG
Q` I
N O
c 20
.�
I U
O
cll
10
a �
v
I
5 `
i
I, .
2
J
.05 0.1 0.2 03 0.5 1.0 2.0 3.0
Period (sec.)
l
Figure 33. Response spectra, type 15
i
i
200
w<<
l
100 I 2' I
50
Qj
r
U �d
N
QJ
ICl 20 �\
.-
D�
U i
O
10 ' v
( a -�,
a� _
CC �
5 �
2 I
I
A
.05 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.5 1.0 2.0 3.0
Period (sec.)
Figure 34. Response spectra, type 16
L
i
200 \
/<><I ><x
lO0 ' I \i
i
oy.
50
i �z \><
! U \a 2
Cn
u � O
a -
c 20 �\
O_
10
a)
i
5
I �
i 2
l
.05 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.5 1.0 2.0 3.0
Period (sec.)
Figure 35. Response spectra, type 17 j
I
i
R
200
�a�l
I � ~Qi
50
a
20 o�
>
> 10 i
I
5
K�l Ni&W/
2N AI
1 I 3
.05 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.5 1.0 2.0 3.0
Period (sec.)
Figure 36. Response spectra, type 18
f
i
t
4) Shaking Characteristics for Zones
i
I The 4 distance zones and the 3 zones based on site characteristics
combine for a total of 12 possible microzones. However, the thick
alluvial zone is not present in Zone IV, and 11 microzones, based on
both distance and site conditions are present. The zones are designated
using a combination of Roman numerals for distance and letters for
site type. Their areal distribution is shown on Plate I.
The generalized characteristics (maximum ground acceleration,
predominant period, and duration of "strong" shaking) of expected
ground shaking are shown in Table 4 for each category of use in
each of the eleven microzones. Response spectra have been derived
( for each of the three earthquakes (magnitudes 6. 5, 7. 0 and 7. 5) in
I the "A" and "C" zones. These are included on Figures 19 through 36,
and are also referenced as to zone and use category in Table 4.
Spectral values for the "B" zones can be obtained as indicated at the
bottom of Table 4.
4. Comparison of Predicted and Observed Shaking
I
The highest intensity of ground shaking reported in the Palm Desert
area is the Mercalli VII experienced during the 1948 Desert Hot Springs
earthquake of magnitude 6. 5. While the relationship between ground
acceleration and intensity is rather general, the range of acceleration
that generally corresponds to an intensity of VII is about 0. 1 -0. 1 5g.
This is somewhat less than the 0. 22g predicted for an alluvial site in
downtown Palm Desert during a magnitude 6. 5 earthquake on the San
Andreas fault (Table 4). The most probable explanation is that the
"type earthquake" used to derive the 0. 22g involved the rupture of
the fault at the surface, while the Desert Hot Springs earthquake did
not involve surface rupture. The accelerations from the latter
would be expected to be lover for the same distances from the epi-
center or surface trace of the fault. The predicted shaking charac-
teristics for the magnitude 6. 5 earthquake are therefore somewhat
conservative in comparison to the 1948 event.
D. SECONDARY HAZARDS
1. Settlement
Settlement may occur in poorly consolidated soils during earth-
quake shaking as the result of a more efficient rearrangement of the
individual grains. Settlement of sufficient magnitude to cause
significant structural damage is normally associated with rapidly
deposited alluvial soils, or improperly founded or poorly compacted
i_
4
Co �O
Ln
41
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W 0 4d o 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 o a U) w
cz
i r-fU � N N N N N N N N N N >+ -
Exa) O O o o O o o O o o o o
E I U fn r} g '-4
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L
fills. The former are generally limited to active stream channels
in which the risk of flooding is far greater than settlement. The
problem of poorly compacted or improperly founded fills is only
indirectly related to seismic hazards in that strong ground-shaking
may "trigger" an already existing instability. Such instabilities are
just as likely, and often are more likely, to be "triggered" by other
events such as heavy rainfall. The proper solution to such problems
is to require that fills be placed under the supervision of a soils
engineer, and, where hillside terrain is involved, also under the
supervision of an engineering geologist. In so doing, the engineer
and geologist should take into account forces resulting from ground-
shaking as specified herein or as developed from more detailed
studies of site conditions.
Soils in the Palm Desert area consist of the alluvium under-
lying the City and thinner residual and locally derived soils in the
mountainous areas. The alluvial soils are granular to coarsely
granular. The upper few feet is often loose and poorly compacted,
and may require some removal and recompaction for heavy structures.
Differential settlement, however, should not be a problem provided
normal soils engineering precautions are taken.
The soils in the mountainous area of the City are primarily
residual (derived in place) soils with some locally derived alluvium.
They are relatively thin, and should not be a problem with respect
to differential settlement.
Regional settlement may occur as the result of groundwater
withdrawal and the lowering of the ,water table. Such settlement is
not normally a hazard to structures because it does not result in
differential movement that would cause damage. Aqueducts or other
structures that require a precise maintenance of grade may be affected,
but most are not.
2. Liquefaction
Liquefaction involves a sudden loss in strength of a saturated,
j cohesionless soil (predominantly sand) which is caused by shock or
strain, such as an earthquake, and results in temporary transforma-
tion of the soil to a fluid mass. If the liquefying layer is near the
f surface the effects are much like that of quicksand on any structure
located on it. If the layer is in the subsurface, it may provide a
sliding surface for the material above it. Liquefaction typically
occurs in areas where the groundwater is less than 30 feet from the
surface, and where_ the soils are composed predominantly of poorly
consolidated fine sand.
1 -
I
Review of water-well records of the Coachella Valley County Water
District and maps of the California Department of Water Resources (1964)
indicates that groundwater levels in the study are and have been at or
below 100 feet for several tens of years.. Considering the demand for water
in the area, it is unlikely that water levels will rise to a depth that
liquefaction vould become a potential hazard at Palm Desert.
3. Landslides
Landslides should be considered a basic geologic hazard rather
than one having an unusual association with earthquakes. The shaking
of an earthquake only provides the triggering force to initiate down-
slope movement of a previously unstable earthmass. The prime factor
I is the unstable condition itself. Movement could just as easily be
triggered by heavy rains, or by grading on a construction project.
The bedrock underlying slopes steep enough to be involved in
landsliding at Palm Desert is limited to relatively hard igneous and
metamorphic types that are not generally prone to landsliding. The
softer sedimentary rocks of the coastal sections of Southern California,
in which landslides are common, are not present at Palm Desert. This
dominance of relatively strong rock and the low annual rainfall make
Ithe Palm Desert area one relatively free of landslides.
Of the several types of landslides normally encountered in
Southern California, only rockfalls (Figure 37) are present to any
significant degree. They are common on the steeper slopes of the
rocky terrain to the west and south of the City.
A more detailed assessment of the landslide hazard at any
particular site requires detailed knowledge of the site and the nature
of any proposed modifications of the terrain. For this reason, engi-
neering geologic and soils engineering investigations should be
required for developments in hilly or mountainous terrains. It is
only through detailed evaluation of existing conditions and proposed
modifications that a high level of safety can be assured.
E. TSUNAMIS AND SEICHES
1 Tsunamis are seismic sea waves, and do not present a hazard
at Palm Desert.
Seiches are standing waves produced in a body of water by the
passage of seismic waves from an earthquake. Seiches are not a
hazard because of the absence of lakes or reservoirs of significant
size within the City.
i
i
i`
Jk
Figure 37. Example of a rockfall type of landslide
I
1 ,
L
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
1 . On the basis of existing information none of the faults within the
City of Palm Desert can be considered "active" or "potentially I
active" as presently defined by the State Mining and Geology
Board and the State Geologist.
2. No Special Studies zones as required by the Alquist-Priolo Geologic
Hazards Act have been delineated within the City by the State Geologist,
and, based on the information developed in this study, none are
expected.
3. The primary geologic hazard at Palm Springs is severe ground
shaking as the result of major earthquakes on the Mission Creek
branch of the San Andreas fault or the San Jacinto fault.
4. Information bearing on the risk of occurrence of earthquakes of
various magnitudes on the San Andreas and San Jacinto faults are
included in the text of the report. It is our recommendation Qe-- �l
that planning and design of facilities for certain uses should take
i
into account the following earthquakes:
Magnitude of Earthquake
! Use San Andreas Fault San Jacinto Fault
I
Critical Facilities 7. 5 7. 5
Normal Commercial Facilities 7. 0 6. 5
Normal Residential Facilities 6. 5 6. 5
5. Microzonation of the City is based on the distance to the earthquake-
generating fault and the type of earth material present. The latter
include bedrock, thick (200'+) alluvium; and thin (0-2001) alluvium.
The generalized characteristics of expected shaking to be applied
to each use in each of the eleven zones in the City are summarized
i
in Table 41of the text. The 18 response spectra are included as
Figures 19 through 36.
j 6. Settlement and liquefaction as a result of seismic shaking are not
considered significant hazards in Palm Desert, provided soils engi-
neering investigations are conducted by competent professionals on
sites considered for structures.
L_
7. Soft sedimentary rocks, prone to landsliding in many other parts
of California, are not present at Palm Desert, and this hazard is
limited primarily to the rockfall types of landslide in the mountainous
terrain in the western and southern part of the City.
8. Tsunamis and seiches are not a hazard at Palm Desert.
I
i
i
i
l REFERENCES
l
Alford, J. L. , G. W. Housner & R. R. Martel, 1964, Spectrum analyses
of strong-motion earthquakes: Earthquake Engineering Research
Laboratory Report.
Allen, C. R. , 1957 San Andreas fault zone in San Gorgonio Pass, Southern
California: Geol. Soc. Amer. Bull. , v. 68, p. 315-350.
1 Allen, C. R. 1968, The tectonic environments of seismically active faults
along the San Andreas fault system: in Proceedings of conference
on geologic problems of the San Andreas fault system, Stanford Univ. ,
Pub, in the Geological Sciencer, x. XI, p. 70-82.
Allen, C. R. , P. St. Amand, C. F. Richter, and J. M. Nordquist, 1965,
Relationship between seismicity and geologic structure in the
Southern California region: Seis. Soc. Am. , Bull. , v. 55, p. 753-797.
I
Allen, C. R. Max Wyss, J. N. Brune, A. Grantz and R. E. Wallace, 1972,
Displacements on the Imperial Superstition Hills, and San Andreas
i faults triggered by the Bonego Mountain earthquake; in in the Borrego
Mountain earthquake, U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 787, p. 87-104.
Bonilla, M. G. , 1970, Surface faulting and related effects: in Earthquake
Engineering, R. L. Weigel, editor, Prentice-Hall, p. 47-74.
Bonilla, M. G. , & J. M. Buchanan, 1970, Interim report on worldwide
historic surface faulting: U. S. Geological Survey open-file report
32 p.
California Council on'Intergovernmental Relations, 1973, General Plan
Guidelines, September 20, 1973.
-- California Department of Water Resources, 1964, Coachella Valley
Investigation, Bulletin 108, 112 p.
California Department of Water Resources, 1964, Crustal strain and fault
movement investigation: Bulletin 116-2.
I
California Division of Mines & Geology, 1972 b, Preliminary earthquake
epicenter map of California, 1934-June 30, 1971: Seismic Safety
Information, 72-3, map scale, 1:1, 000, 000.
i_
Clark, M. M. , A. Grantz, and M. Rubin, 1972, Holocene activity of. the
Coyote Creek fault as recorded in sediments of Lake Cahuilla:
U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 787, p. 112-130.
Dickinson, W. R. , D. S. Cowan, and R.A. Schweickert, 1972, Test of new
global tectonics: Discussion: Amer. Assoc. of Pet. Geol. , Bull. ,
v. 56, n. 2, p. 375-384.
Duke, C. M. & D. J. Leeds, 1962, Site characteristics of Southern
California strong-motion earthquake stations: U. C. L.A. Dept.
of Engr. Rept. No. 62-55.
Duke, C. M. , J. E. Luco, A. R. Carrivean, P. J. Hradilek, R. Lastnco
and D. Ostrom, 1970, Strong earthquake motions and site conditions:
Hollywood: Seis. Soc. Amer. Bull. , v. 60, n. 4, p. 1271 -1289.
Duke, C. M. J.A. Johnson, Y Kharraz, K. W. Campbell, and. N.A. Malpiede,
1971, Subsurface site conditions and geology in the San Fernando
earthquake area: School of Engr. & Spp. Sci. , Univ. of Calif. at
Los Angeles, Report 7206, December, 1971, 118 p.
Envicom Corporation, 1974, Seismic Safety Element, City of Palm
Springs, California.
i
Frazier, D. M. 1931-, Geology of San Jacinto quadrangle south of San
Gorgonio Pass, California: Calif. Div, of Mines Dept. 27, p. 494-540.
Greensfelder, R. W. , 1972, Crustal movement investigations in California:
their history, data and significance: Calif. Div. of Mines & Geology,
Special Publication 37, 25 p. , map scale, 1:500, 000.
Greensfelder, R. W. , 1973, A map of maximum bedrock acceleration from
earthquakes in California: Calif. Div. of Mines & Geology. (Map
and text are presently "Preliminary, subject to revision").
Hileman, J.A. , C. R. Allen, J. N. Brune, and Max Wyss, 1971, Measure-
ment of active slip on faults in the Imperial Valley region, California,
(abs. ): Program of the Cordilleran Section, Geol. Soc. America, 67th
Ann. Meet. , Riverside, California. , p. 136.
Hileman, J.A. , C. R. Allen, and J. M. Nordquist, 1973, Seismicity of the
Southern California Region, 1 January, 1932 to 31 December, 1972:
Calif. Inst, of Tech. Seis. Lab. , Pasadena, Calif.
i
Housner, G. W. , 1970, Strong ground motion: in Earthquake Engineering,
R. L. Wiegel, editor, Prentice-Hall, p. 75-91 .
Housner, G. W. , & M. D. Trifunac, 1967, Analysis of accelerograms -
Parkfield earthquake: Seis. Soc. Amer. Bull. , v. 57, n. 6, p. 1193-1220.
I
Jennings, P. C. G. W. Housner, and N. C. Tsai, 1968, Simulated earthquake
motions: Earthquake Engr. Res. Lab. Report, April 1968.
Lamar, D. L. , P. M. Merifield & R. J. Proctor, 1973, Earthquake recur-
rence intervals on major faults in Southern California: in Geology,
Seismicity and Environmental Impact, Assoc. Engineering Geologists
Spec. Pub. , Oct. 1973, D. E. Moran, J. E. Slosson, R. O. Stone &
C.A. Yelverton, editors.
Lastrico, R. M. 1970, Effects of site and propagation path on recorded
strong earthquake motions: Unpub. Ph. D. dissertation, School of
Engr, and App. Sci. , Univ. of Calif. at Los Angeles, 205 p.
Matthiesen, R. B. , C. M. Duke, D. J. Leeds, & J. C. Fraser, 1964, Site
characteristics of Southern California strong-motion earthquake
stations, Part II: U. C. L.A. Dept. of Engr. Rept. No. 64-15.
Miller, W. J. , 1944, Geology of the Palm Springs-Blythe strip, Riverside
County, California: Calif. Jour. of Mines and Geology, vol. 40,
p. 11-72.
Murphy, L. M. and F. P. Ulrich, 1951, United States Earthquakes, 1948:
U. S. Department of Commerce, 49 p.
i Proctor, R. J. , 1968, Geology of the Desert Hot Springs-Upper Coachella
Valley area, California: Calif. Div.. of Mines and Geology Spec.
Dept. 94, 50 p.
i Rodgers, T.H. , 1969, Geologic Map of California, Santa Ana Sheet:
California Div. of Mines and Geology, 1:250, 000.
Schnabel, P. , H. B. Seed and J. Lysmer, 1972, Modification of seismograph
records for effects of local conditions: Seis. Soc. Amer. , Bull. ,
v. 62, n. 6, n. 1649-16 64.
Schnabel, P. , and H. B. Seed, 1973, Accelerations in rock for earthquakes
in the western United States: Seis. Soc. Amer. , Bull. , v. 63, n. 2,
p. 501 -516.
Seed, H. B. and I. M. Idriss, 1971, Simplified Procedure for evaluating
soil liquefaction potential: Proceedings Amer. Soc. Civil Engineers,
Jour. Soil Mechanics & Foundations Div. , v. 97, sm 9.
i Sharp, R. V. , 1967, San Jacinto fault zone in the peninsular ranges of
Southern California: Geol. Soc. Amer. Bull. , v. 78, p. 705-730.
Sharp, R. V. , 1972, Map showing recently active breaks along the San
Jacinto fault zone between the San Bernardino area and Borrego Valley,
California: U. S. Geol. Survey Miscel. Geol. Invest. Map I-675,
scale 1:24, 000.
Sharp, R. V. , 1972 B, Tectonic setting of the Salton trough: in the Borrego
Mountain earthquake of April 9, 1968, U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper
787, p. 3-15.
Sims, S. J. , 1961, Geology of part of the Santa Rose Mountains, Riverside
County, California: unpublished Ph. D. dissertation, Stanford Univ. , .
Stanford, California.
Slosson, J. E. , 1973, Review of Special Studies Zones maps that delineate
zones encompassing potentially active faults: Letter to Concerned
Cities and Counties from the State Geologist, California Division of
Mines and Geology, December 26, 1973.
State Mining and Geology Board, 1973, Policies and Criteria of the State
Mining and Geology Board with reference to the Alquist-Priolo Geologic
Hazards Zones Act (Chapter 7. 5, Division 2, Public Resources Code,
State of California): Adopted November 21, 1973, 3 p.
Trifunac, M. D. , & J. N. Brune, 1970, Complexity of energy release during
4 the Imperial Valley, California, earthquake of 1940: Seis. Soc. Amer.
Bull. , v. 60, p. 137-160.
` Trifunac, M. D. and D. E. Hudson, 1971, Strong motion records from the
San Fernando earthquake; B. Analysis of the Pacoima Danz accelerograrn:
in Engineering features of the San Fernando earthquake, February 9,
1971, Earthquake Engineering Research Laboratory Report 71 -02, P. C.
Jennings, ed. , p. 110-139.
U. S. Geological Survey, 1972, The Borrego Mountain earthquake of April 9,
1968: U. S. Geological Survey Prof. Paper 787, 207 p.
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of the United States — Part II, Stronger earthquakes of California
and western Nevada: U. S. Dept. of Commerce, 48 p.
i
f _
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
1 .
1 _
I
i
i
Active Fault — One that has moved in recent geologic time and which is
likely to move again in the relatively near future. Definitions
for planning purposes extend on the order of 10, 000 years or
more back and 100 years or more forward.
IAlluvial — Pertaining or composed osed of alluvium or deposited b p � P Y a
stream or running water. (AGI, 1972)
Alluvium — A general term for clay, silt, sand, gravel or similar uncon-
solidated detrital material deposited during comparatively recent
geologic time by a stream or other body of running water as a
sorted or semisorted sediment in the bed of the stream or on its
flood plain or delta, or as a cone or fan at the base of a mountain
slope. (AGI, 1972)
Amplification — Elaboration;I augmentation; addition (Webster). As used
herein, near-surface amplification is the augmentation of wave
amplitude resulting from the change in physical properties in
near-surface layers (see Introduction).
Amplitude — The extent of the swing of a vibrating body on each side of
the mean position. (Webster)
Block Glide — A translational landslide in which the slide mass remains
essentially intact, moving outward and downward as a unit,
most often along a pre-existing plane of weakness such as
bedding, foliation, joints, faults, etc. (AGI, 1972)
Cohesion — Shear strength in a sediment not related to interparticle
friction. (AGI, 1972)
- Colluvium — (a) A general term applied to any loose, heterogenous,
and incoherent mass of soil, material or rock fragments
deposited chiefly by mass-wasting, usually at the base of a
steep slope or cliff. (b) Alluvium deposited by unconcentrated
surface runoff or sheet erosion, usually at the base of a slope.
(AGI, 19 7 2)
I_
Compaction — Reduction in bulk volume or thickness of, or the pore
space within, a body of fine-grained sediments in response
' to the increasing weight of overlying material that is contin-
ually being deposited, or to the pressure resulting from earth
I movements within the crust. It is expressed as a decrease in
porosity brought about by a tighter packing of the sediment
— -- - particles. (AGI, 1972)
i
i
Consolidated Material — Soil or rocks that have become firm as a result
of compaction.
Damping — The resistance to vibration that causes a decay of motion with
1 time or distance, e. g. the diminishing amplitude of an oscillation.
I (AGI, 1972)
IDifferential Settlement — Nonuniform settlement; the uneven lowering of
different parts of an engineering structure, often resulting in
damage to the structure. (AGI, 1972)
Displacement (Geological) — The relative movement of the two sides of a
fault, measured in any chosen direction; also, the specific amount
of such movement. Displacement in an apparently lateral direc-
tion includes strike-slip and strike separation; displacement in
an apparently vertical direction includes dip-slip and dip
separation. (AGI, 1972)
Displacement (Engineering) — The geometrical relation between the position
of a moving object at any time and its original position. (Webster)
Epicenter — That point on the Earth' s surface which is directly above the
focus of an earthquake. (AGI, 1972)
Fault — A surface or zone of rock fracture along which there has been
a displacement, from. a few centimeters to a few kilometers in
scale. (AGI, 1972)
IFault Surface — In a fault, the surface along which displacement has
occurred. (AGI, 1972)
Fault System — Two or more interconnecting fault sets, (AGI, 1972)
Fault Zone — A fault zone is expressed as a zone of numerous small
fractures or by breccia or fault zouge. A fault zone may be as
wide as hundreds of meters. (AGI, 1972)
Focus (Seism) — That point within the Earth which is the center of an
earthquake and the origin of its elastic waves. Syn: hypocenter;
seismic focus; centrum (see Introduction). (AGI, 1972)
Ground Response —A general term referring to the response of earth
materials to the passage of earthquake vibration. It may be
expressed in general terms (maximum acceleration, dominant
----- - period, etc. ), or as a ground-motion spectrum.
4
I
Hypocenter — See focus.
Intensity (earthquake) — A measure of the effects of an earthquake at a
particular place on humans and/or structures. The intensity
at a point depends not only upon the strength of the earthquake,
or the earthquake magnitude, but also upon the distance from
the point to the epicenter and the local geology at the point.
I (AGI, 1972)
Isoseismal line — A line connecting points on the Earth's surface at which
Iearthquake intensity is the same. It is usually a closed curve
around the epicenter. 5yn: isoseism; isoseism.ic line; isoseismal.
(AGI, 1972)
g
Liquefaction — A sudden large decrease in the shearing resistance of a
q
cohesionless soil, caused by a collapse of the structure by shock
or strain, and associated with-a sudden but temporary increase
of the pore fluid pressure. (AGI, 1972)
i
Macroseismic data — Used herein to describe instrumentally recorded
earthquakes generally in the range of Richter magnitude 3. 0 or
more. (This use differs from the AGI definition of "macro-
seismic observations").
Magnitude (earthquake) — A measure of,the strength of an earthquake or
the strain energy released by it, ,as determined by seismographic
observations. As defined by Richter, it is the logarithm, to the
base 10, of the amplitude in microns of the largest trade deflection
that would be observed on a standard tortion seismograph (static
magnification = 2800; period = 018 sec; damping constant = 0. 8)
at a distance of 100 kilometers from the epicenter. (AGI, 1972)
I
Microseismic data — Used herein to describe instrumentally recorded
earthquakes generally in the range of Richter magnitude 3. 0
or less. (This use is consistent with the AGI definition of
microseism and microseismometer, but is more restricted
than their definition of microseismic data).
I
Natural period — The period at which maximum response of a system.
occurs. The inverse of resonant frequency.
i
Normal fault — A fault in which the hanging wall appears to have moved
downward relative to the footwall. The angle of the fault is
usually 45-90 degrees. This is dip-separation, but there may
— - - or may not be sip-slip. (AGI, 1972)
L
I
Predominant period — The period of the acceleration, velocity or
displacement which predominates in a complex vibratory
motion. In the analysis of earthquake vibrations, predom-
inant period is normally the period of the maximum amplitude
of the acceleration spectrum.
Response spectrum — An array of the response characteristics of a
structure or structures ordered according to period or
frequency. The structures are normally single-degree-of-
freedom oscillators, and the characteristics may be displace-
ment, velocity or acceleration (see Introduction).
Seiche — All standing waves on any body of water whose period is deter-
mined by resonant characteristics of the containing basin as
controlled by its physical dimensions. (U. S. Geol. Survey
Prof. Paper 544-E)
Seismic Seiche — Standing waves set up on rivers, reservoirs, ponds
and lakes at the time of passage of seismic waves from an
earthquake. (U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 544-E)
I Shear — A strain resulting from stresses that cause or tend to cause
contiguous parts of a body to slide relatively to each other in
a direction parallel to their plane of contact; specifically, the
ratio of the relative displacement of these parts to the dis-
tance between them. (AGI, 1972)
Shear-wave or S-wave — That type of seismic body wave which is
propagated by a shearing motion of material so that there is
oscillation perpendicular to the direction of propagation. It
does not travel through liquids. (AGI, 1972)
Slip — On a fault, the actual relative displacement along the fault plane
of two formerly adjacent points on either side of the fault. Slip
is three dimensional, whereas separation is two dimensional.
(AGI, 1972)
Strike-slip fault — A fault, the actual movement of which is parallel to
P
1 the strike (trend) of the fault. (AGI, 1972)
Subsidence — A local mass movement that involves principally the gradual
downward settling or sinking of the solid Earth' s surface with
little or no horizontal motion and that does not occur along a
free surface (not the -result of a landslide or failure of a slope.
--- (AGI, 1972)
I
Tectonic — Of or pertaining to the forces involved in, or the resulting
structures or features of the upper part of the Earth' s crust.
(mod. from AGI, 1972)
Tsunami — A gravitational sea wave produced by any large-scale, short-
duration disturbance of the ocean floor, principally by a shallow
submarine earthquake, but also by submarine earth movement,
1 subsidence, or volcanic eruption, characterized by great speed
of propgation (up to 950 km/hr.), long wavelength (up to 200 km.),
f long period (5 min. to a few hours, generally 10 - 60 min. ), and
ti low observable amplitude on the open sea, although it may pile
up to great heights (30 m, or more) and cause considerable
damage on entering shallow water along an exposed coast, often
thousands of kilometers from the source. (AGI, 1972)
+ Unconsolidated material — A sediment that is loosely arranged or
I unstratified or whose particles are not cemented together,
occurring either at the surface or at depth. (AGI, 1972)
Water table — The surface between the zone of saturation and the zone
of aeration; that surface of a body of unconfined ground water
at which the pressure is equal to that of the atmosphere.
(AGI, 1972)
I
L
I .
TABLE A
HAZARD COMPARISON OF NON-EARTHQUAKE-RESISTIVE BUILDINGS
Relative Dar ageability
Simplified Description (in order of increasing
of Structural "..yp,2:
wood-frame structures
C Small w 1 i. e. dwellings 1
Inot over 3, 000 sq. ft. and not over 3 stories
Single or multistory steel-frame buildings 1. 5
with concrete exterior walls, concrete floors,
and concrete roof. Moderate wall openings
Single or multistory reinforced-concrete 2
buildings with concrete exterior walls, con-
crete walls) and concrete roof. Moderate
wall openings
ILarge area wood-frame buildings and other 3 to 4
wood frame buildings
i
Single or multistory steel-frame buildings 4
with unreinforced masonry exterior wall
panels; concrete floors and concrete roof
Single or multistory reinforced-concrete 5
I frame buildings with unreinforced masonry
exterior wall panels, concrete floors and
concrete roof
Reinforced concrete bearing walls with 5
supported floors and roof of any material
(usually wood)
Buildings with unreinforced brick masonry 7 up
having sand-line mortar; and with supported
floors and roof of any material (usually wood)
Colla sf h izard
Bearing walls of unreinforced adobe, unrein-
forced hollow concrete bloock, or unreinforced
in mad-
hollow clay tile sh�c{•'
This table is intended for buildings not containing earthquake
I
and in general, is applicable to most older construction. U^:a•rc
foundation conditions and/or dangerous roof tanks can increa5{: F::"
earthquake hazard greatly.
i
I " I
a
•� E,-v_
o
..=S- th pass !
autt
:. .. .......
�1
A
r
' EXPLANATION
T
Zone boundary and zone designation '
TT based on distance.
Zone boundary and zone designation
�g C based on rock or soil type.
A \ g "�`�• Fault; dashed where approximate;
�JK dotted where buried.
N.
�\ TV- NNI
4 1
A
71.1. Cal :. j
Z: aN
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i