Santa Monica Mountains - Geology

Geology

Geologists consider the northern Channel Islands to be a westward extension of the Santa Monicas into the Pacific Ocean. The range was created by repeated episodes of uplifting and submergence by the Raymond Fault that created complex layers of sedimentary rock. Volcanic instrusions have been exposed, including the poorly named, andesitic, "Sandstone Peak" the highest in the range at 948 meters (3,111 ft.). Malibu Creek, which eroded its own channel while the mountains were slowly uplifted, bisects the mountain range.