Geologic Map of California Olaf P Jenkins Edition Los Angeles Sheet

Cartographer: Charles W Jennings & , Rudolph G Strand
Publisher: Division Of Mines And Geology
Price: £295 (post-free in the UK)
Publication Date: 1991
Edition: 6th printing of the 1969 edition
Format: Colour printed
Condition: In near fine condition
Sheet Size: 94.2cm x 55.8cm

Condition:

An important map of Los Angeles. 6th printing. Map size: 94.2cm x 55.8cm. Includes the Explanatory Data Sheet in buff sleeve. Key to the left hand side of the map. Shows the many faults located in the Los Angeles area including the Newport-Inglewood Fault and the San Andreas Fault. Sleeve nicked, creased and rubbed with a split to the left hand side and with a neat ink name. Explanatory sheet in near fine condition. Map colours bright and clean. Map in very near fine condition indeed. Scarce in any form and a very nice copy indeed.

Location: DOBR 002808

Geologic Map of California Olaf P Jenkins Edition Los Angeles Sheet: A Brief Description

The Geologic Map of California: Olaf P. Jenkins Edition – Los Angeles Sheet represents a landmark in mid-20th century geological cartography, encapsulating both the complexity and dynamism of southern California’s geological framework. Published as part of a broader state-wide mapping initiative under the stewardship of Olaf P. Jenkins, then Chief Geologist of the California Division of Mines, this sheet offers a meticulously detailed portrayal of one of the most geologically active and diverse regions in North America.

Situated at the intersection of multiple tectonic provinces, the Los Angeles area is a natural focus for geological investigation. The map captures the intricacies of this region with exceptional clarity—recording not only the lithological diversity, but also the structural features that underpin both its landscape and its seismic volatility. From the sediment-filled Los Angeles Basin to the bounding fault systems and metamorphic highlands, the sheet renders the geology with scientific rigour and cartographic precision.

What distinguishes the Olaf P. Jenkins Edition from earlier efforts is the scale and ambition of the project. The Los Angeles Sheet, like its companion maps across the state, was produced at a scale of 1:250,000—striking a balance between regional overview and fine-grained detail. This allowed for the inclusion of complex fault traces, stratigraphic boundaries, intrusive contacts, and depositional patterns, all rendered in an integrated and legible manner. The map is colour-coded to indicate rock units of varying ages and types, spanning from ancient crystalline basement rocks to recent alluvial deposits.

The sheet highlights the presence of several major geological features that have shaped both the physical terrain and the human history of the area. Among these are the Newport–Inglewood Fault Zone and the Sierra Madre and Raymond Faults, all of which are delineated with care. The San Andreas Fault, although not crossing the central urban region of Los Angeles directly, exerts considerable tectonic influence and is represented in the broader context of regional fault systems. The juxtaposition of younger sedimentary formations against heavily deformed Mesozoic and Cenozoic rocks reveals the ongoing processes of uplift, compression, and basin development.

In terms of lithology, the Los Angeles Sheet captures the full spectrum of southern California’s geological materials. Quaternary alluvium, deposited by rivers and flash floods, dominates the basin floors and coastal plains. Interbedded with these are older marine sediments, indicative of previous transgressions and regressions of the Pacific Ocean. The hills and ranges flanking the basin are underlain by a complex mix of granitic plutons, metamorphic schists, and volcanic sequences—each mapped with attention to contact relationships and stratigraphic context.

The compilation and publication of the map reflect a high level of geoscientific expertise. Jenkins, known for his commitment to applied geology and public service, oversaw the work at a time when post-war infrastructure development, urban expansion, and resource management required dependable geoscientific data. The map served not merely as an academic reference, but as a practical tool for planners, engineers, hydrologists, and civil defence authorities. It contributed to understanding land stability, groundwater availability, and earthquake risk, offering an evidence-based foundation for development in one of the most densely populated regions of the United States.

Cartographically, the Los Angeles Sheet stands out for its clarity and coherence. It employs a standardised legend consistent across the Jenkins series, making it easily cross-referable with adjacent sheets. The use of contour lines, fault symbols, and pattern overlays allows users to interpret both the superficial and subsurface characteristics of the landscape. A companion explanatory text, often issued separately, provided interpretive context, geological history, and technical notes regarding mapping methodology and data sources.

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