Award Date

1-1-2005

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Geoscience

First Committee Member

Wanda J. Taylor

Number of Pages

111

Abstract

New geologic map data (1:24,000 scale), geometric analyses, and kinematic analyses in the vicinity of the Crescent Spring fault zone (CSFZ), an E-W-striking fault zone in eastern Nevada, allow the recognition of four distinct extensional episodes. The episodes are pre-volcanic (pre-27 Ma), syn-volcanic (∼27-18 Ma), Miocene (?) post-volcanic, and Miocene (?) - Pliocene or Quaternary post-volcanic extension. This extensional pattern, which is consistent with other fault studies along the broadly defined Timpahute lineament, has several important aspects. (1) Transverse faults of the CSFZ are normal faults that accommodated a distinct N-S extensional event. (2) The strain field within this part of the Great Basin reoriented at least twice during the Tertiary, from E-W extension to N-S extension and back to E-W extension. (3) The dominantly southdipping, transverse normal faults moved crustal material southward, which may explain N-S shortening during large-magnitude E-W extension at the latitude of Las Vegas. (4) The eastern part of the Timpahute lineament is a regional transfer fault system that accommodated changes in the magnitude, timing, location, and direction of extension.

Keywords

Basin; Extension; Faults; Great Role Transfer; Transverse

Controlled Subject

Geology

File Format

pdf

File Size

5386.24 KB

Degree Grantor

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Language

English

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