Surficial geologic map of the southeast Memphis Quadrangle, Shelby County, Tennessee

Scientific Investigations Map 2822
By:  and 

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Abstract

The depiction of geology on this map is designed to aid in urban planning and analysis of potential damage in the event of strong earthquake motion. The geologic map by itself does not analyze potential earthquake damage, but is designed to be used by seismologists who perform such analyses. Wind-deposited silt and clayey silt (loess) is the predominant surficial deposit. Loess entirely covers the upland (everyplace in the map area that is not a valley occupied by a stream) to depths of 4.5-16 m. The second most abundant deposit is silty alluvium, which is confined to the narrow floodplains and is 1-10 m thick. Sparse, unconsolidated, pebbly sand alluvium is 0.5-3 m thick and is confined to point bars and channel deposits in the narrow, incised channel of Nonconnah Creek. The nature of geologic materials to a degree determines the severity of damage to infrastructure sustained during a strong earthquake.

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Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Surficial geologic map of the southeast Memphis Quadrangle, Shelby County, Tennessee
Series title Scientific Investigations Map
Series number 2822
DOI 10.3133/sim2822
Edition Version 1.0
Year Published 2004
Language ENGLISH
Description one sheet, 34 inches x 30 inches
Scale 24000
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