Northernmost extension of the East Pacific Rise
The Gulf of California Rift Zone (GCRZ) is the northernmost extension of the East Pacific Rise which extends some 1,300 km (800 mi) from the mouth of the Gulf of California to the southern terminus of the San Andreas Fault at the Salton Sink .
The GCRZ is an incipient rift zone akin to the Red Sea Rift . In the GCRZ continental crust originally associated with the North American plate has been pulled apart by tectonic forces and is being replaced by newly formed oceanic crust and seafloor spreading . The rifting has resulted in the transfer of the Baja California peninsula to the Pacific plate .
From north to south:
List of GCRZ rift basins
From north to south:
References
Clayton, W.R. & Trampert, J. & Rebollar, C. & Ritsema, Jeroen & Persaud, Patricia & Paulssen, J.A.M. & Pérez-Campos, Xyoli & Wettum, A. & Perez-Vertti, A. & DiLuccio, F.. (2004). The NARS-Baja seismic array in the Gulf of California rift zone . MARGINS Newslett. 13.
North America Canada United States
Washington and Oregon California Great Basin Great Plains Midwest Appalachian Mountains
Caribbean and Mexico