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SCHIEFELBEIN, ILSA M. , University of Nevada Las Vegas, Geoscience, Las Vegas, NV
ABSTRACT:
Fault
Segmentation, Linkage, and Earthquake Hazards Along the Sevier
Fault
,
Southwestern Utah
Segmented, long (10s to 100s of km) normal faults are common
structures in extensional terranes. A better understanding of fault
segmentation and how
strain is passed from one
fault
to another on a small scale may permit a better
understanding of the geometry and kinematics of segmented, long normal faults. The area
from the Basin and Range province to the Colorado Plateau contains numerous segmented,
long normal faults, but segment boundaries and linkage are not completely understood.
The goal of this study is to answer four questions about normal faulting processes,
especially segmentation and linkage issues and Cenozoic extensional tectonics in the High
Plateaus subprovince using as an example, the Sevier fault
. Is the Sevier
fault
actively
linking and forming segment boundaries? What are the geometry and kinematics of segmented,
long normal faults? What are the timing constraints on movement along the Sevier
fault
?
What are the earthquake and related hazards for the communities along the Sevier
fault
?
The Sevier
fault
is a documented Quaternary
fault
, but may also have Holocene Movement.
Segment boundaries have not been mapped or defined for the Sevier fault
. Once segment
boundaries are defined, the geometry, kinematics, timing constraints, and linkage
processes can be analyzed. Earthquake and related hazards for the communities along the
Sevier
fault
then can be assessed.
The excellent exposure of the Sevier fault
provides an exceptional opportunity to study
the extensional
fault
geometry and kinematics. This study will increase our knowledge of
the geometry and kinematics of segmented, long normal faults.
AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90909©2000 AAPG Foundation Grants-in-Aid