What is the primary source of much of the petroleum and natural gas in the Transverse Ranges Province?

The Monterey Formation is the primary source of much of the petroleum and natural gas found in the Transverse Ranges Province due to its rich organic material and favorable conditions for hydrocarbon generation. This geological formation, which consists primarily of marine shales and is known for its high oil yield, formed during the Miocene epoch. The Monterey Formation has undergone significant diagenesis and thermal maturation, which has led to the generation of hydrocarbons.

In the context of the geology in this area, the Monterey Formation has been subjected to tectonic forces that have folded and faulted the rocks, creating traps for oil and gas accumulation. Its widespread presence in the region underlies the productive oil fields, making it a crucial component of California's petroleum resources.

The other mentioned features, while geologically significant, do not serve as primary sources of petroleum. The Salinian Block is primarily composed of metamorphic rocks and does not have the same source rock potential as the Monterey Formation. The Santa Ynez Fault is a structural feature that may influence the geology but is not a source of hydrocarbons itself. Similarly, the Sierra Nevada Batholith is largely an igneous rock formation composed of granitic rocks, which also lacks the organic source material required for petroleum generation. Thus