Connecting the Soda–Avawatz and Bristol–Granite Mountains faults with gravity andaeromagnetic data, Mojave Desert, California

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Abstract

The Soda–Avawatz and Bristol–Granite Mountains faults are considered by some to form the northeastern margin of the eastern California shear zone yet their connectivity and extents are obscured by surficial deposits and the estimates of total right-lateral offset from geologic data range from 0 to as much as 24 km. We use gravity and recently released detailed aeromagnetic data to map strands of these faults, examine structure within the fault zones and provide estimates of right-lateral offset. Gradients in gravity and aeromagnetic data define physical property contrasts that coincide with mapped strands of the faults and allow for extension of these faults, where concealed, to indicate continuity between the Soda–Avawatz and Bristol–Granite Mountains faults. Gravity data reveal local tectonic basins west of Silver Lake, beneath Soda Lake, and southwest of the Marble Mountains that are approximately 9–15 km long, 3–5 km wide, and 1–1.5 km deep. The basins are located where the local fault traces strike more northerly than the overall fault zone strike, suggesting that these basins are transtensional (pull-apart). If the lengths of these basins can be used as a proxy for rightlateral offset, the Soda–Avawatz and Bristol–Granite Mountains faults may have up to 9–15 km of post-early Miocene offset, consistent with our offset estimates from correlative magnetic anomalies across the fault zone.

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Publication type Conference Paper
Publication Subtype Conference Paper
Title Connecting the Soda–Avawatz and Bristol–Granite Mountains faults with gravity andaeromagnetic data, Mojave Desert, California
Year Published 2017
Language English
Publisher California State University Desert Studies Center
Contributing office(s) Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center
Description 10 p.
Larger Work Type Book
Larger Work Subtype Conference publication
Larger Work Title ECSZ does it: Revisiting the Eastern California Shear Zone 2017 Desert Symposium Field Guide and Proceedings
First page 83
Last page 92
Conference Title 2017 Desert Symposium
Country United States
State California
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