Provides an extraordinary case study of a classic marine petroleum system in the prolific oil basins of California. Based on results from the Cooperative Monterey Organic Chemistry Study, the volume examines paleoenvironmental conditions, organic-matter deposition, source-rock characteristics, thermal maturation, and oil generation in the Monterey Formation.

Additional title page description: Stratigraphy, structure, and economic geology of parts of Monterey, San Luis Obispo, and San Benito Counties.

With its active fault systems, complex landforms, and myriad natural habitats, southern California boasts a rich and dynamic geologic environment. This abundantly illustrated volume at last provides an up-to-date, authoritative, and accessible resource for students and general readers interested in southern California's geology and native plants. Covering an extensive area, north from San Diego to Yosemite in the Sierra Nevada and east to the Mojave and Colorado deserts, its unique, comprehensive approach brings together for the first time the basic principles of geology, the story of plate tectonics, in-depth discussion of the geology of many specific locales within the region, and information on identifying southern California's native plants.