Both ridge densities and azimuthal orientations of the two most prominent ridge trends showed notable differences among the terranes examined, but this was not subjected to rigorous statistical testing. A causative model for the differences in trends is proposed. The Klamath terrane study is summarized as follows: 1) there are real and meaningful differences in some geomorphic parameters when these are associated with individual terranes - this confirms the hypothesis that such differences should in fact be expected owing to the natural variations in rock type/structure in diverse terranes that come from different parts of the mobile plate system and arrive at different times; 2) Landsat could distinguish some of the Klamath terranes simply by visual inspection; and 3) stereo achievable with SPOT imagery allows certain measurements otherwise obtainable only from topographic maps to be made.

Earlier, we introduced the idea of ridge density (defined as total length of ridges per unit area). For the study, I produced a regional map of ridges from the 1:250,000 topographic sheet, from which I calculated densities using a computer program. This list shows that densities vary by a factor of almost two among the major terranes in the Klamaths:

This density value relates to several factors, chief being the "fineness" of the drainage network.

From this map, I plotted the orientations of ridges (normalized to lengths) for the entire region:

Then, using the above-mentioned program, in which the ridge data are entered as points on a digital plotting board that converts them to lines, their average trend directions were then calculated. These orientations of the ridges for any chosen area (such as a terrane or fraction thereof) were then plotted in rose diagrams similar to those shown above for the Elk and Sixes Rivers terranes. Below is a map, on which is drawn the most common orientation interval (in 5° units) in red and the second most common in blue.

The prevailing direction for terranes including and east of the Yolla Bolly terrane is north-north-east, in keeping with the regional plot just shown. But, in the Elk and Sixes River terranes that direction becomes northwest.

What might account for this shift in trends? This next diagram is my speculation:

In upper panel I, a new terrane smashes into the continental craton along a subduction line of a given geometry (including orientation). As the terrane slides under (or, it can override the continent), it takes on a fabric whose principal direction(s) is governed by the stress field imposed during emplacement. Now, in panel II, the subduction zone location and geometry have changed and a somewhat different fabric orientation results. In panel III, a new subduction zone (bounded by a transform fault [not shown]) adopts a notably shifted orientation and this passes on to the docking terrane. Then, as erosive processes gradually carve out topographic expressions for the terrane group, streams, whose paths tend to be controlled by the underlying structural fabric, produce valleys and intervening divides that reveal the effects of the stress fields that gave rise to the noted preferred orientations.

17-22: Before you go on to the (next) summary statement, from what you have read what seems to be the best parameter(s) for separating terranes by geomorphic properties? ANSWER