Anticline Ridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Anticline Ridge |
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 Location in California
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| Highest point | |
| Peak | (Black Mountain) |
| Elevation | 3,640 ft (1,110 m) |
| Geography | |
| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| District | Fresno County |
| Range coordinates | 36°15′57″N 120°21′21″W / 36.26583°N 120.35583°W |
| Parent range | Diablo Range |
| Topo map | USGS Joaquin Rocks, Domengine Ranch, Coalinga, Guijarral Hills |
The Anticline Ridge is a long, narrow hill range in California. It is located in Fresno County, east of the town of Coalinga. This ridge is part of the inner California Coast Ranges.
The highest point of Anticline Ridge is Black Mountain. It stands at about 3,629 feet (1,106 meters) high. The ridge slopes down towards the southeast. It ends near Los Gatos Creek. This creek separates Anticline Ridge from the Guijarral Hills.
About Anticline Ridge
Anticline Ridge plays an important role in the local geography. It helps divide two valleys. These are Pleasant Valley and the San Joaquin Valley. The San Joaquin Valley is to the east.
Roads and the Ridge
Two main roads cross Anticline Ridge. These are State Route 33 and State Route 198. They join together for a part of their journey. This stretch goes through and north of Coalinga. These roads cut across the area where the Coalinga oil field is located.
What is an Anticline?
The name "Anticline Ridge" comes from a geological feature. It is a type of rock formation called an anticline.
- An anticline is like a giant arch in layers of rock.
- Imagine pushing a rug from both ends; it would wrinkle up into a hump.
- That hump is similar to how an anticline forms underground.
- The Anticline Ridge is the part of this arch that you can see on the surface.
This underground anticline structure continues south. It connects to the Guijarral Hills and Kettleman Hills.
Oil Fields and the Ridge
Anticline Ridge is also important for another reason. It sits over a large part of the Coalinga Oil Field. This is a place where oil is found deep underground. The same underground anticline structure that forms the ridge also holds oil. This structure continues to the southeast. It is connected to the Guijarral Hills Oil Field and the Kettleman North Dome Oil Field.
