Note the step-like character of the landscape in this portion of the Biskra Palms Grove. These are young fault scarps associated with these large earthquake faults. The palms grow near springs and seeps associated with faults. The soil throughout the hillside has a soft, flaky texture and is rich in sodium bicarbonate and other salts precipitated from the briny spring water. The faults in the Biskra Palm Grove and Coachella Valley Preserve area have been the target of ongoing research to resolve the geologic history of the San Andreas Fault system in the region (Behr and others 2010; Philibosian and others, 2009, Fumal and others, 2002). |