Depositional history and neotectonics in Great Salt Lake, Utah, from high-resolution seismic stratigraphy

Sedimentary Geology
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Abstract

High-resolution seismic-reflection data from Great Salt Lake show that the basinal sediment sequence is cut by numerous faults with N-S and NE-SW orientations. This faulting shows evidence of varied timing and relative offsets, but includes at least three events totaling about 12 m following the Bonneville phase of the lake (since about 13.5 ka). Several faults displace the uppermost sediments and the lake floor. Bioherm structures are present above some faults, which suggests that the faults served as conduits for sublacustrine discharge of fresh water. A shallow, fault-controlled ridge between Carrington Island and Promontory Point, underlain by a well-cemented pavement, separates the main lake into two basins. The pavement appears to be early Holocene in age and younger sediments lap onto it. Onlap-offlap relationships, reflection truncations, and morphology of the lake floor indicate a low lake, well below the present level, during the early Holocene, during which most of the basin was probably a playa. This low stand is represented by irregular reflections in seismic profiles from the deepest part of the basin. Other prominent reflectors in the profiles are correlated with lithologic changes in sediment cores related to the end of the Bonneville stage of the lake, a thick mirabilite layer in the northern basin, and the Mazama tephra. Reflections below those penetrated by sediment cores document earlier lacustrine cycles. ?? 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Depositional history and neotectonics in Great Salt Lake, Utah, from high-resolution seismic stratigraphy
Series title Sedimentary Geology
DOI 10.1016/S0037-0738(01)00210-X
Volume 148
Issue 1-2
Year Published 2002
Language English
Contributing office(s) Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center
Description 18 p.
Larger Work Type Article
Larger Work Subtype Journal Article
Larger Work Title Sedimentary Geology
First page 61
Last page 78
Country United States
State Utah
Other Geospatial Great Salt Lake
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