We’ve been having such a fun and rewarding year in the field with energized and engaged groups exploring and interpreting California’s coastal geomorphology, active tectonics, geologic environments, and the living landscape mosaic! Please join our next walk on Sunday, October 11th ~ Coastal Landforms and the Tectonic Landscape of the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens. Our last field trip at MCBG sold out, so please preregister…

Coastal scrublands of the South Coast Ecoregion - Rowena Forest/Cal Geographic, 2025 When removing political and international borders, the biogeographic and physiographic continuity of the ecosystem mosaic between southern California and Baja California is obvious. Unfortunately, political boundaries are real obstacles to biological connectivity, as well as to research and conservation. This is especially stark along the US-Mexico borderlands, but California’s historic habitats persist in fragility, and vigilant bi-national monitoring is vital to the survival of the southern native landscapes of the California Floristic Province.

USGS Calvo Earthquake Map I’m not normally an earthquake chaser, but the 5.6 earthquake in rural central Mendocino County this morning, June 24, 2026, shook close to home and coincidentally occurred within a tectonic setting that I have been intensively researching for a few months now. It also happens to be the largest earthquake recorded within the Maacama Fracture Zone.

Tectonic basin of the Maacama Fracture Zone at Long Valley, Mendocino County, R Forest From our column in the Mendocino Voice, with links and references: The Maacama fault system and fracture zone lies at the heart of Mendocino County, defining the landscape of the central valleys, and framing the geography, ecosystems, industry, and culture of inland Mendocino. A sweeping and formidable tectonic corridor, this sister of the San Andreas Fault system delineates the valleys and towns of Laytonville, Willits, Ukiah, Hopland, and others along its path.

As a physical geographer I perpetually strive to know the landscape deeply. From the rapidly uplifting marine terraces, vast dune sheets, and offshore landforms that comprise Mendocino’s unmistakable coastline; to the oak-studded, wildflower-strewn tectonic valleys of Laytonville, Hopland, Covelo, Boonville, Comptche, and Branscomb; to the thousands of savannahs, wetlands, riparian corridors, coastal prairies, scrublands, riverine systems, pygmy forests and evergreen forests in between, the dynamic physical geography of Mendocino never fails to amaze and inspire.

Listen/Read On Cal Geographic Linked Here Welcome to the Cal Geographic Report – We look forward to sharing news and updates of the biogeography and geomorphology of California’s living landscapes. This almost vernal equinox podcast episode is totally dedicated to California’s seasonal freshwater wetlands and vernal pools. We will review several of California’s regional vernal pool complexes and preserves across the state, and highlight those with public access and upcoming spring vernal pool tours.

Tectonic Geomorphology Southern California’s Transverse Ranges are composed of a series of geologic units of divergent age and origin. Together they are captured and transported to the northwest in an east-west trending rotation by the oblique grind, pull, and squeeze of the fractured and tempestuous boundary between the North American and Pacific Plates. The Transverse Ranges embody California’s quintessentially convoluted geologic environment.

Earthquake Country ~ The Northern San Andreas Rift Valley The northern-most San Andreas rift valley at Alder Creek in coastal Mendocino County is a highly fractured tectonic zone, featuring at least two main stems of the San Andreas Fault itself, and riddled with multiple minor transform and thrust faults, both on-land and offshore... Read More  Geomorphography ~ Seismite Seismite: Sedimentary layers (lithified strata) deformed during the seismic shaking of paleo earthquakes, and displaying distinct convoluted and disrupted bedding with geomorphic features such as pillows, flow rolls, dikes and folds...

photo, NPS Within the oldest, tallest, and most isolated individuals among California’s totemic and scarce stands of old growth Coast redwood forest (Sequoia sempervirens), a shrouded and complex i…

Geography The Point Arena Terrane is a tectonic unit of geologic formations and sedimentary landforms west of the San Andreas Fault on the northern California coast, and is traveling northwestward …

The Albion Headlands aren’t just a local fight — they’re part of a larger question: Who gets to experience the beauty of this state, and who gets to own it?

California’s coastal prairies form a fragile and patchy network of long-lived, low profile, species-rich herbaceous ecosystems unique to the climate, geology and geography of California’s coastal r…

Situated at the southeastern edge of the Northern Coast Range, where subduction complex abuts the Great Valley Sequence, two outlying strands of the broad San Andreas fracture zone cut a striking a…

images, courtesy of CA Department of Conservation View this post on our website, here Every April 18th I ponder the fateful events my great-great, and great grandparents endured that very early morning, and for months to follow. With toddler in tow, and possibly pregnant, my great grandparents fled their South of Market flat to cross the Bay to join family in Larkspur, Marin County in the north.

YouTube video by Cal Geographic

YouTube video by Cal Geographic

YouTube video by Cal Geographic

Sharing the Geography of California's Living Landscapes

Three NOAA offices in California are slated for closure as part of the Trump administration’s plans to terminate federal office leases nationwide.

YouTube video by Cal Geographic

YouTube video by Cal Geographic

YouTube video by Cal Geographic

YouTube video by Cal Geographic