Gravity and Magnetic Investigations of the Mojave National Preserve and Adjacent Areas, California and Nevada

Langenheim, V. E.; Biehler, S.; Negrini, R.; Mickus, K.; Miller, D. M.; Miller, R. J.

Abstract:

Gravity and aeromagnetic data provide the underpinnings of a hydrogeologic framework for the Mojave National Preserve by estimating the thickness of Cenozoic deposits and locating inferred structural features that influence groundwater flow. An inversion of gravity data indicates that thin (<1 km) basin deposits cover much of the Preserve, except for Ivanpah Valley and the Woods Mountains volcanic center. Localized areas of Cenozoic deposits thicker than 500 m are predicted beneath parts of Lanfair Valley, Fenner Valley, near Kelso, Soda Lake, and southeast of Baker. Along the southern margin of the Mojave National Preserve, basins greater than 1 km deep are located between the Clipper and Marble Mountains, between the Marble and Bristol Mountains, and south of the Bristol Mountains near Amboy. Both density and magnetization boundaries defined by horizontal-gradient analyses coincide locally with Cenozoic faults and can be used to extend these faults beneath cover. Magnetization boundaries also highlight the structural grain within the crystalline rocks and may serve as a proxy for fracturing, an important source of permeability within the generally impermeable basement rocks, thus mapping potential groundwater pathways through and along the mountain ranges in the study area.

Genre:

USGS Numbered Series

ProdID:

97645

Citation Author:

Langenheim, V. E.; Biehler, S.; Negrini, R.; Mickus, K.; Miller, D. M.; Miller, R. J.

Citation Contributing Office:

Geophysics Unit of Menlo Park, Calif.

Citation Datum:

Citation Day:

Citation Edition:

Version 1.0

Citation Editor:

Citation End Page:

Citation Issue:

Citation Keywords:

Citation Language:

ENGLISH

Citation Larger Work Title:

Citation LatN:

0354500

Citation LatS:

0343000

Citation LonE:

-1144500

Citation LonW:

-1163000

Citation Month:

Citation No Pagination:

Citation Number Of Pages:

Citation Online Only Flag:

Citation Phsyical Description:

Report: iii, 25 p.; ReadMe; Metadata; Data; Rock Properties

Citation Projection:

Citation Public Comments:

Prepared in cooperation with National Park Service

Citation Publisher:

U.S. Geological Survey

Citation Series:

Open-File Report

Citation Series Code:

OFR

Citation Series Number:

2009-1117

Citation Search Results Text:

Gravity and Magnetic Investigations of the Mojave National Preserve and Adjacent Areas, California and Nevada; 2009; OFR; 2009-1117; Langenheim, V. E.; Biehler, S.; Negrini, R.; Mickus, K.; Miller, D. M.; Miller, R. J.