Valley asymmetry in San Diego. M.A. thesis

Valley asymmetry is recognized in the City of San Diego, particularly in east-west trending valleys incised into the coastal terrace surfaces. Slope measurements extracted from engineering maps were subjected to t tests which indicate that north-facing mean slope angles are 2.97^o greater than south-facing mean slope angles. Microclimate is considered a major factor in valley asymmetry in San Diego. However, other environmental controls are considered. Rock type, valley gradient and valley azimuth were subjected to an analysis of covariance. All three variables were significant in explaining the degree of asymmetry. It is proposed that uniclinal shifting of the stream bed is a significant controlling factor in the production of asymmetric valleys. -from Author