In 1981, 1982, and 1983 the USGS acquired seismic refraction data along seven transects in the Great (or Central ) Valley of California and its bordering regions. these transects were part of a geophysical study of the Great Valley which also included seismic reflection data, aeromagnetic, and gravity. These Geophysical data were combined with surface geological data and geological borehole data to better constrain interpretations of the structure and evolution of this classic Mesozoic and early Cenozoic forearc.