GEOPHYSICAL STUDY OF BASIN-RANGE STRUCTURE DIXIE-VALLEY REGION, NEVADA
Abstract
The study aims to determine the subsurface structure and origin of a tectonically active part of the Basin and Range province, which has structural similarities to the ocean ridge and rift system and to continental block-fault structures such as the Rift Valleys of East Africa. A variety of techniques was utilized, including seismic refraction, gravity measurements, magnetic measurements, photogeologic mapping, strain analysis of existing geodetic data, and elevation measurements on shorelines of ancient lakes. Dixie Valley contains more than 10,000 feet of Cenozoic deposits and is underlain by a complex fault trough concealed within the main graben. The bounding faults, studied by side refraction, are markedly crooked in strike and comparatively constant in dip. Dip-slip motion predominates. The computed strain energy is comparable to the energy derived from the magnitudes of the 1954 earthquakes. Ancient beach ridges record a maximum 14 feet of westward tilting in approximately the last 10,000 years; the valley has been subsiding with little net tilting.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1967
- Accession Number
- AD0657326
Entities
People
- Alan T. Herring
- Dennis B. Burke
- George A. Thompson
- Laurent J. Meister
- Thomas E. Smith
Organizations
- Stanford University