Angular unconformity and Ryan mining camp.

Angular unconformities are significant features because they indicate an upper limit for timing of crustal deformation in a given area. This unconformity shows 4 Ma Funeral basalt overlyingArtist Drive Fm (left) faulted against tilted Furnace Creek Fm (right). As the basalt is only mildly deformed, this unconformity indicates that most crustal deformation in this part of Death Valley was over by about 4 Ma. After this time, the locus of active deformation shifted westward, and the formation of modern Death Valley began.

The 1920's era mining camp of Ryan sits on the hills just below the unconformity. This area has been the site of underground and strip mining of borate minerals.

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