Little Maria Mountains facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Little Maria Mountains |
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 Location in California
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 483 m (1,585 ft) |
| Geography | |
| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| District | Riverside County |
| Range coordinates | 33°52′54.063″N 114°53′21.888″W / 33.88168417°N 114.88941333°W |
| Topo map | USGS Little Maria Mountains |
The Little Maria Mountains are a mountain range in southeastern California, United States. They stretch from northwest to southeast. The Palen Mountains are to their east, and the Big Maria Mountains are to their west.
This mountain range is about 15 miles long. It is located north of Interstate 10. It is also southwest of the old Rice Army Airfield, near California State Route 62. The Victor Mine is found at the southeastern end of the range near Midland.
How the Mountains Formed: Geology
The Little Maria Mountains are part of a larger group of mountains. This group is known as the Maria Fold and Thrust Belt. Imagine the Earth's crust as a giant puzzle. Sometimes, these puzzle pieces (called tectonic plates) push against each other.
Long ago, during the Cretaceous period, the rocks in this area were squeezed. This squeezing happened from north to south. It caused the rocks to fold and stack up, forming mountains. This process is called "crustal shortening." It even involved very old, deep rocks called "basement rocks."
Later, during the Miocene epoch, the area stretched out. This stretching happened from east to west. It pulled the land apart, revealing the older folded rocks. This stretching is part of what geologists call the Colorado River Extensional Corridor.
This way of mountain building was a bit unusual. In most of North America, mountains formed from east-west squeezing. That was because the Farallon plate was sliding under the continent. But here, the squeezing was north-south. Also, the rocks involved were from the ancient North American Craton. This includes rocks similar to those found in the Grand Canyon.
Exploring the Palen/McCoy Wilderness
The Little Maria Mountains are located within the Palen/McCoy Wilderness Area. The Bureau of Land Management takes care of this special place. They work to protect its natural beauty and wildlife.
This large wilderness area includes several mountain ranges. Besides the Little Maria Mountains, you'll find the Granite, Arica, Palen, and McCoy Mountains. Wide, gently sloping areas called "alluvial fans" separate these ranges. These fans are made of sand and gravel washed down from the mountains.
Because there are so many different landforms, the plants and animals here are very diverse. You can find desert wash woodlands. These woodlands provide food and shelter for many animals. Look for burro deer, coyotes, bobcats, gray foxes, and even mountain lions.
The landscape is always changing. You might see "desert pavement," which are flat areas covered with tightly packed rocks. There are also deep canyons and rugged mountain peaks. Dense forests of ironwood trees (Olneya tesota) add to the beauty. It's a truly unique and wild place to explore!
