The San Bernardino Mountains consist of ancient basement rocks that were uplifted over the past few million years. They contain various types of igneous and sedimentary rocks, including granite, pegmatite, metasandstone, quartz, and crystalline rocks. The highest point is San Gorgonio Peak at 11,485 feet. Various plant and animal species inhabit the mountains, such as Jeffrey Pine trees, bobcats, and California quail.

1. Geology 103
Jaime Soto
Field Assignment
THE SAN BERNARDINO
MOUNTAINS

2. INTRODUCTION
• The San Bernardino Mountains are visible
from all of Los Angeles and the Inland Empire
• I spend a lot of my time on leave from work in
Upland California which is at the southern
base of the San Bernardino Mountains.
• The San Bernardino Mountains are home to
many of Southern California nearest ski
resorts like Mountain High, Snow Valley, and
Big Bear.
• They are a huge reason why living in
Southern California is so amazing because
you can go to the beach in the morning and
go snowboarding at night.

3. GEOLOGY OF THE SAN
BERNARDINO MOUNTAINS
• The San Bernardino Mountains include two major geologic-
geomorphic provinces of western North America. The
Transverse Ranges and the Peninsular Ranges provinces.
• The mountains consist of a high, east trending elongate block
that has been brought to its elevation within the past few million
years.
• The mountains are bounded on their steep north side by a
series of south-dipping thrust faults known as the north-frontal
fault system.
• The highest point of the mountains is the San Gorgonio peak
(11,485 feet). (Matti, 2000)

4. MAP OF WHAT I SEE OF THE MOUNTAINS

5. JEFFREY PINE
• Pinus Ponderosa
• The Jeffrey Pine is found
through much of California,
southwestern Oregon,
western Nevada, and Baja
California
• It is a large, slow growing
conifer that usually lives
form about 400 to 500
years.
• Grows best at elevations of
6,000 to 9,000 feet.
(Gucker, 2007)

6. BOBCAT
• Also known as Lynx Rufus
• The Bobcat can be found in
all parts of the United States
except for parts of the
midwest.
• They can live between 13-15
years and are predominately
carnivores.
• They are found all around the
San Bernardino Mountains
and sometimes are know to
make their way down into
local communities.

7. CALIFORNIA QUAIL
• Callipepla Californica
• Can be found in the forests of California
and in the Northwest.
• They spend most of their time walking
around scratching at the ground for food.
• Also Californias State bird.
• This species is very popular with game
hunters.

8. TYPES OF ROCKS FOUND IN THE SAN
BERNARDINO MOUNTAINS
• Most of the rocks that make up the mountains in San Bernardino are ancient
basement rocks that have been uplifted to their current elevation. (Matti,
1992)

9. CRYSTALLINE
• Crystallie rock is any
rock composed entirely
of crystalized minerals.
• This rock is found
throughout the San
Bernardino Mountains.
• Intrusive igneous rocks
are almost always
crystalline.

10. PEGMATITE
• Pegmatite is an igneous
rock that is formed during
the final stage of
magma’s crystallization.
• To be classified as
pegmatite, the rock must
be composed crystals at
least 1 centimeter in
diameter.
• Can sometimes be
sources of valuable
minerals

11. METASANDSTONE
• Metasandstone is from the
Proterozoic Z-Cambrian
Era.
• Sedimentary Rock

12. GRANITE
• Granite is an Igneous
Rock
• It forms through the
slow crystallization of
magma below the
earths surface.
• Comprised mainly of
Quartz and Feldspar.

13. QUARTZ
• Quartz is a mineral found
in sedimentary,
metamorphic, and
igneous rocks.
• Is abundant in all rocks
found throughout the San
Bernardino Mountains.

14. REFERENCES
• Gucker, Corey L. 2007. Pinus jeffreyi. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S.
Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire
Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/
• Blumen, L. (n.d.). California Quail. Retrieved from All About Birds:
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/California_Quail/lifehistory
• Crystalline Rock. (n.d.). Retrieved from Encyclopedia Brittanica:
http://www.britannica.com/science/crystalline-rock
• King, H. (2015). Granite. Retrieved from Geology: http://geology.com/rocks/granite.shtml
• King, H. (2015). Pegmatite. Retrieved from Geology:
http://geology.com/rocks/pegmatite.shtml
• Matti, J. C. (2000). Geologic setting, San Bernardino National Forest. Retrieved from
USFS: http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5207093.pdf
• Sheet, A. F. (2008). Animal Fact Sheet: Bobcat. Retrieved from Desert Museum:
https://www.desertmuseum.org/kids/oz/long-fact-sheets/Bob-cat.php