Can flexural-slip faults related to evaporite dissolution generate hazardous earthquakes? The case of the Grand Hogback monocline of west-central Colorado

Bulletin of the Geological Society of America

Volumn 126, Issue 11-12, 2014, Pages 1481-1494

  Gutiérrez, Francisco ^a   Carbonel, Domingo ^a   Kirkham, Robert M ^b   Guerrero, Jesús ^a   Lucha, Pedro ^a   Matthews, Vincent ^c  

^a UNIVERSITY OF ZARAGOZA   (Spain)

^b GeoLogical Solutions   (United States)

^c Leadville Geology LLC   (United States)

Author keywords

[No Author keywords available]

Indexed keywords

BASALT; DECORATION; DISSOLUTION; EARTHQUAKES; FAULTING; GEOPHYSICS; STRATIGRAPHY; VOLCANIC ROCKS;

EVAPORITE DISSOLUTION; FAULT SCARP; FAULTING EVENTS; HALF GRABEN; LATE QUATERNARY; MOMENT MAGNITUDES; SOUTHERN ROCKY MOUNTAINS; STRATIGRAPHIC MARKERS;

FAULT SLIPS;

DISSOLUTION; EARTHQUAKE MAGNITUDE; EVAPORITE; FAULT; MONOCLINE; PALEOSEISMICITY; SLIP; VOLCANIC ROCK;

COLORADO; ROCKY MOUNTAINS; UNITED STATES;

EID: 84910019777     PISSN: 00167606     EISSN: 19432674     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1130/B31054.1     Document Type: Article

References (75)

1. Adams, J., 1984, Active deformation of the Pacific Northwest continental margin: Tectonics, v. 3, p. 449-472, doi: 10.1029/TC003i004p00449..
2. Anderson, N.L., Brown, R.J., and Hinds, R.C., 1988, Geophysical aspects of Wabamun salt distribution in southern Alberta: Canadian Journal of Exploration Geophysics, v. 24, p. 166-178.
3. Anderson, N.L., Hopkins, J., Martínez, A., Knapp, R.W., Macfarlane, P.A., Watney, W.L., and Black, R., 1994, Dissolution of bedded rock salt: A seismic profile across the active eastern margin of the Hutchinson salt member, central Kansas: Computers & Geosciences, v. 20, p. 889-903, doi: 10.1016/0098-3004 (94)90120-1..
4. Barrett, J.K., and Pearl, R.H., 1976, Hydrogeologic data of thermal springs and wells in Colorado: Colorado Geological Survey Information Series 6, 124 p.
5. Black, T.J., 1997, Evaporite karst of Northern Lower Michigan: Carbonates and Evaporites, v. 12, p. 81-83, doi: 10.1007/BF03175805..
6. Carbonel, D., Gutiérrez, F., Linares, R., Roqué, C., Zarroca, M., McCalpin, J., Guerrero, J., and Rodriguez, V., 2013, Differentiating between gravitational and tectonic faults by means of geomorphological mapping, trenching and geophysical surveys: The case of Zenzano Fault (Iberian Chain, N Spain): Geomorphology, v. 189, p. 93-108, doi: 10.1016/j.geomorph.2013.01.020..
7. Casas, A.M., Gil, I., Leránoz, B., Millán, H., and Simón, J.L., 1994, Quaternary reactivation of flexural-slip folds by diapiric activity: Example from the western Ebro Basin (Spain): Geologische Rundschau, v. 83, p. 853-867, doi: 10.1007/BF00251081..
8. Cater, F., 1970, Geology of the salt anticline region in southwestern Colorado: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 637, 80 p.
9. Chafin, D.T., and Butler, D.L., 2002, Dissolved-solids-load contributions of the Pennsylvanian Eagle Valley Evaporite to the Colorado River, west-central Colorado, in Kirkham, R.M., Scott, R.B., and Judkins, T.W., eds., Late Cenozoic Evaporite Tectonism and Volcanism in West-Central Colorado: Geological Society of America Special Paper 366, p. 149-155, doi: 10.1130/0-8137-2366-3.149.
10. Christiansen, E.A., and Sauer, K.E., 2001, Stratigraphy and structure of a Late Wisconsinan salt collapse in the Saskatoon Low, south of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada: An update: Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, v. 38, p. 1601-1613, doi: 10.1139/e01-038..
11. Cooper, A.H., 2002, Halite karst geohazards (natural and man-made) in the United Kingdom: Environmental Geology, v. 42, p. 505-512, doi: 10.1007/s00254-001-0512-9..
12. De Mille, G., Shouldice, J.R., and Nelson, H.W., 1964, Collapse structures related to evaporites of the Prairie Formation, Saskatchewan: Geological Society of America Bulletin, v. 75, p. 307-316, doi: 10.1130/0016-7606 (1964)75 [307: CSRTEO]2.0.CO;2..
13. Doelling, H.H., 2000, Geology of Arches National Park, Grand County, Utah, in Sprinkel, D.A., Chidsey, T.C., and Anderson, P.B., eds., Geology of Utah's Parks and Monuments: Utah Geological Association Publication 28, p. 11-36.
14. Frumkin, A., 2000, Dissolution of salt, in Klimchouk, A.B., Ford, D.C., Palmer, A.N., and Dreybrodt, W., eds., Speleo genesis: Evolution of Karst Aquifers: Huntsville, Alabama, National Speleological Society, p. 169-170.
15. Galbraith, R.F., and Roberts, R.G., 2012, Statistical aspects of equivalent dose and error calculation and display in OSL dating: An overview and some recommendations: Quaternary Geochronology, v. 11, p. 1-27, doi: 10.1016/j.quageo.2012.04.020..
16. Goter, S.K., Presgrave, B.W., Henrisey, R.F., and Langer, C.J., 1988, The Carbondale, Colorado, earthquake swarm of April-May, 1984: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 88-417, 15 p.
17. Guerrero, J., Brunh, R.L., McCalpin, J., Gutiérrez, F., and Willis, G., 2012, Interstratal karstification and late Quaternary active faulting in Moab collapse salt valley, SE Utah (USA): Actas de la XII Reunión Nacional de Geomorfología: Santander, Sociedad Española de Geomorfología, p. 417-420.
18. Gustavson, T.C., 1986, Geomorphic development of the Canadian River Valley, Texas Panhandle: An example of regional salt dissolution and subsidence: Geological Society of America Bulletin, v. 97, p. 459-472, doi: 10.1130/0016-7606 (1986)97 <459: GDOTCR>2.0.CO;2..
19. Gutiérrez, F., 1996, Gypsum karstification induced subsidence: Effects on alluvial systems and derived geohazards (Calatayud Graben, Iberian Range, Spain): Geomorphology, v. 16, p. 277-293, doi: 10.1016/0169-555X (96)00004-9..
20. Gutiérrez, F., 2004, Origin of the salt valleys in the Canyonlands section of the Colorado Plateau: Evaporite dissolution collapse versus tectonic subsidence: Geomorphology, v. 57, p. 423-435, doi: 10.1016/S0169-555X (03)00186-7..
21. Gutiérrez, F., and Cooper, A.H., 2013, Surface morphology of gypsum karst, in Frumkin, A., ed., Treatise on Geomorphology: Karst Geomorphology, Volume 6: Amsterdam, Elsevier, p. 425-437.
22. Gutiérrez, F., Bruhn, R.L., McCalpin, J.P., Guerrero, J., and Lucha, P., 2007, Evidence of compressional active tectonics in Ragged Mountain Fault (Southern Alaska): European Geosciences Union General Assembly: Geophysical Research Abstracts, v. 9, p. 01780.
23. Gutiérrez, F., Carbonel, D., Guerrero, J., McCalpin, J.P., Linares, R., Roqué, C., and Zarroca, M., 2012a, Late Holocene episodic displacement on fault scarps related to interstratal dissolution of evaporites (Teruel Neogene Graben, NE Spain): Journal of Structural Geology, v. 34, p. 2-19, doi: 10.1016/j.jsg.2011.11.006..
24. Gutiérrez, F., Linares, R., Roqué, C., Zarroca, M., Galve, J.P., Carbonel, D., and Rosell, J., 2012b, Investigating gravitational grabens related to lateral spreading and evaporite dissolution subsidence by means of detailed mapping, trenching and electrical resistivity tomography (Spanish Pyrenees): Lithosphere, v. 4, p. 331-353, doi: 10.1130/L202.1..
25. Hanson, K.L., Kelson, K.I., Angell, M.A., and Lettis, W.R., 1999, Techniques for identifying faults and determining their origins: Washington, D.C., U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, contract report NUREG/CR-5503, 186 p. and appendices.
26. Hill, C., 1996, Geology of the Delaware Basin, Guadalupe, Apache, and Glass Mountains, New Mexico and West Texas: Permian Basin Section-SEPM, publication No. 96-39, 440 p.
27. Hopkins, J.C., 1987, Contemporaneous subsidence and fluvial channel sedimentation: Upper Mannville C Pool, Berry Field, Lower Cretaceous of Alberta: The American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, v. 71, p. 334-345.
28. Kelsey, H.M., Sherrod, B.L., Nelson, A.R., and Brocher, T.M., 2008, Earthquakes generated from bedding plane-parallel reverse faults above an active wedge thrust, Seattle fault zone: Geological Society of America Bulletin, v. 120, p. 1581-1597, doi: 10.1130/B26282.1..
29. Kirkham, R.M., and Rogers, W.P., 1981, Earthquake potential in Colorado: A preliminary evaluation: Colorado Geological Survey Bulletin 43, 171 p.
30. Kirkham, R.M., and Rogers, W.P., 2000, Colorado earthquake information, 1867-1996: Colorado Geological Survey Bulletin 52, 160 p., published as CD-ROM.
31. Kirkham, R.M., and Scott, R.B., 2002, Introduction to late Cenozoic evaporite tectonism and volcanism in westcentral Colorado, in Kirkham, R.M., Scott, R.B., and Judkins, T.W., eds., Late Cenozoic Evaporite Tectonism and Volcanism in West-Central Colorado: Geological Society of America Special Paper 366, p. 1-14, doi: 10.1130/0-8137-2366-3.1.
32. Kirkham, R.M., Streufert, R.K., Hemborg, H.T., and Stelling, P.L., 1996, Geologic map of the Cattle Creek quadrangle, Garfield County, Colorado: Colorado Geological Survey Open-File Report 96-1, scale 1:24.000.
33. Kirkham, R.M., Streufert, R.K., and Cappa, J.A., 1997, Geological map of the Glenwood Springs quadrangle, Garfield County, Colorado: Colorado Geological Survey Map Series 31, scale 1:24,000.
34. Kirkham, R.M., Kunk, M.J., Bryant, B., and Streufert, R.K., 2001, Constraints on timing and rates of late Cenozoic incision by the Colorado River in Glenwood Canyon, Colorado: A preliminary synopsis, in Young, R.A., Spamm, E.E., eds., The Colorado River: Origin and Evolution: Grand Canyon Association Monograph 12, p. 113-118.
35. Kirkham, R.M., Streufert, R.K., Kunk, M.J., Budhan, J.R., Hudson, M.R., and Perry, W.J., Jr., 2002, Evaporite tectonism in the lower Roaring Fork River valley, west-central Colorado, in Kirkham, R.M., Scott, R.B., and Judkins, T.W., eds., Late Cenozoic Evaporite Tectonism and Volcanism in West-Central Colorado: Geological Society of America Special Paper 366, p. 73-99, doi: 10.1130/0-8137-2366-3.73.
36. Kirkham, R.M., White, J.L., Sares, M.A., Mock, R.G., and Lidke, D.J., 2003, Engineering and environmental aspects of evaporite karst in west-central Colorado, in Johnson, K.S., and Neal, J.T., eds., Evaporite Karst and Engineering/Environmental Problems in the United States: Oklahoma Geological Survey Circular 109, p. 279-292.
37. Kunk, M.J., Budahn, J.R., Unruh, D.M., Stanley, J.O., Kirkham, R.M., Bryant, B., Scott, R.B., Lidke, D.J., and Streufert, R.K., 2002, 40Ar/39Ar ages of late Cenozoic volcanic rocks within and around the Carbondale and Eagle collapse centers, Colorado: Constraints on the timing of evaporite-related collapse and incision of the Colorado River, in Kirkham, R.M., Scott, R.B., and Judkins, T.W., eds., Late Cenozoic Evaporite Tectonism and Volcanism in West-Central Colorado: Geological Society of America Special Paper 366, p. 213-234, doi: 10.1130/0-8137-2366-3.213.
38. Lensen, G.J., and Otway, P.M., 1971, Earthshift and postearthshift deformation associated with the May 1968 Inangahua earthquake, New Zealand: Royal Society of New Zealand Bulletin, v. 9, p. 107-116.
39. McCalpin, J.P., 2009a, Application of paleoseismic data to seismic hazard assessment and neotectonic research, in McCalpin, J.P., ed., Paleoseismology: San Diego, Academic Press, http://www.elsevierdirect.com/companions/9780123735768 (accessed 1 May 2014).
40. McCalpin, J.P., 2009b, Paleoseismology in extensional tectonic environments, in McCalpin, J.P., ed., Paleoseismology: San Diego, Academic Press, p. 171-269.
41. McCalpin, J.P., and Carver, G.A., 2009, Paleoseismology of compressional tectonic environments, in McCalpin, J.P., ed., Paleoseismology: San Diego, Academic Press, p. 315-419.
42. McCalpin, J.P., Bruhn, R.L., Pavlis, T.L., Gutiérrez, F., Guerrero, J., and Lucha, P., 2011, Antislope scarps, gravitational spreading, and tectonic faulting in the western Yakutat microplate, south coastal Alaska: Geosphere, v. 7, p. 1143-1158, doi: 10.1130/GES00594.1..
43. Memesh, A., Dini, S., Gutiérrez, F., and Wallace, C.A., 2008, Evidence of large-scale subsidence caused by interstratal karstification of evaporites in the Interior Homocline of Central Saudi Arabia: European Geosciences Union General Assembly: Geophysical Research Abstracts, v. 10, p. A-02276.
44. Mock, R.G., 2002, Geologic setting, character, and potential hazards for evaporite-related sinkholes in Eagle and Garfield Counties, northwestern Colorado, in Kirkham, R.M., Scott, R.B., and Judkins, T.W., eds., Late Cenozoic Evaporite Tectonism and Volcanism in West-Central Colorado: Geological Society of America Special Paper 366, p. 157-166, doi: 10.1130/0-8137-2366-3.157.
45. Morgan, M.L., Matthews, V., and Heerschap, L., 2012, Colorado Geological Survey Earthquake and Late Cenozoic Fault and Fold Map Server: Golden, Colorado Geological Survey, http://dnrwebcomapg.state.co.us/CGSOnline/(accessed 1 May 2014).
46. Murray, A.S., and Wintle, A.G., 2003, The single-aliquot regenerative dose protocol: Potential for improvements and reliability: Radiation Measurements, v. 37, p. 377-381, doi: 10.1016/S1350-4487 (03)00053-2..
47. Murray, F.N., 1969, Flexural slip as indicated by faulted lava flows along the Grand Hogback monocline, Colorado: The Journal of Geology, v. 77, p. 333-339, doi: 10.1086/627439..
48. Neal, J.T., and Colpitts, R.M., 1997, Richard Lake, an evaporite karst depression in the Holbrook Basin, Arizona: Carbonates and Evaporites, v. 12, p. 91-97, doi: 10.1007/BF03175807..
49. Nelson, A.R., Johnson, S.Y., Kelsey, H.M., Wells, R.E., Sherrod, B.L., Pezzopane, S.K., Bradley, L.-A., Koehler, R.D., III, and Buckham, R.C., 2003, Late Holocene earthquakes on the Toe Jam fault, Seattle fault zone, Bainbridge Island, Washington: Geological Society of America Bulletin, v. 115, p. 1388-1403, doi: 10.1130/B25262.1..
50. Perry, W.J., Miller, J.J., and Scott, R.B., 2002, Implications for evaporite tectonism in the Carbondale and Eagle collapse centers of west-central Colorado, based on reprocessed seismic reflection data, in Kirkham, R.M., Scott, R.B., and Judkins, T.W., eds., Late Cenozoic Evaporite Tectonism and Volcanism in West-Central Colorado: Geological Society of America Special Paper 366, p. 55-72, doi: 10.1130/0-8137-2366-3.55.
51. Perucca, L.P., and Paredes, J., 2003, Fallamiento cuaternario en la zona de La Laja y su relación con el terremoto de 1944, Departamento Albardón, San Juan, Argentina: Revista Mexicana de Ciencias Geológicas, v. 20, p. 20-26.
52. Philip, H., and Meghraoui, M., 1983, Structural analysis and interpretation of the surface deformations of the El Asnam earthquake of October 10, 1980: Tectonics, v. 2, p. 17-49, doi: 10.1029/TC002i001p00017..
53. Powers, R.W., Ramirez, L.F., Redmond, C.D., and Elberg, E.L., Jr., 1966, Geology of the Arabian Peninsula: Sedimentary geology of Saudi Arabia: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 560-D, 147 p.
54. Prescott, J.R., and Hutton, J.T., 1994, Cosmic ray contributions to dose rates for luminescence and ESR dating: Large depths and long-term time variations: Radiation Measurements, v. 23, p. 497-500, doi: 10.1016/1350-4487 (94)90086-8..
55. Reimer, P.J., Baillie, M.G.L., Bard, E., Bayliss, A., Beck, J.W., Bertrand, C., Blackwell, P.G., Buck, C.E., Burr, G., Cutler, K.B., Damon, P.E., Edwards, R.L., Fairbanks, R.G., Friedrich, M., Guilderson, T.P., Hughen, K.A., Kromer, B., McCormac, F.G., Manning, S., Bronk Ramsey, C., Reimer, R.W., Remmele, S., Southon, J.R., Stuiver, M., Talamo, S., Taylor, F.W., van der Plicht, J., and Weyhenmeyer, C.E., 2009, IntCal09 and Marine09 radiocarbon age calibration curves, 0-50,000 years cal BP: Radiocarbon, v. 51, p. 1111-1150.
56. Rockwell, T.K., 1988, Neotectonics of the San Cayetano fault, Transverse Ranges, California: Geological Society of America Bulletin, v. 100, p. 500-513, doi: 10.1130/0016-7606 (1988)100 <0500: NOTSCF>2.3.CO;2..
57. Rockwell, T.K., Keller, E.A., Clark, M.N., and Johnson, D.L., 1984, Chronology and rates of faulting of Ventura River terraces, California: Geological Society of America Bulletin, v. 95, p. 1466-1474, doi: 10.1130/0016-7606 (1984)95 <1466: CAROFO>2.0.CO;2..
58. Schultz, E.S., Meigs, A.J., Ragona, D., Rockwell, T.K., Costa, C., Ahumada, E., Middleton, T., and Verdugo, D., 2005, Using paleoseismic investigations to test hypothesized fold growth mechanisms: A case study from the La Laja Fault System, San Juan Province, Argentina: American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting 2005, abstract S12A-08.
59. Shaw, J.H., and Suppe, J., 1994, Active faulting and growth folding in the eastern Santa Barbara channel, California: Geological Society of America Bulletin, v. 106, p. 607-626, doi: 10.1130/0016-7606 (1994)106 <0607: AFAGFI>2.3.CO;2..
60. Steven, T.A., 2002, Late Cenozoic tectonic and geomorphic framework surrounding the evaporite dissolution area in west-central Colorado, in Kirkham, R.M., Scott, R.B., and Judkins, T.W., eds., Late Cenozoic Evaporite Tectonism and Volcanism in West-Central Colorado: Geological Society of America Special Paper 366, p. 15-30, doi: 10.1130/0-8137-2366-3.15.
61. Sylvester, A.G., and Heinemann, J., 1996, Preseismic tilted and triggered reverse faulting due to unloading in a diatomite quarry near Lompoc, California: Seismological Research Letters, v. 67, p. 11-18, doi: 10.1785/gssrl .67.6.11..
62. Treiman, J.A., 1995, Surface faulting near Santa Clarita, in Woods, M.C., and Seiple, W.R., eds., The Northridge, California, Earthquake of 17 January 1994: California Department of Conservation, Division of Mines and Geology Special Publication 116, p. 103-110.
63. Tweto, O., 1975, Laramide (Late Cretaceous-early Tertiary) orogeny in the southern Rocky Mountains, in Curtis, B.F., ed., Cenozoic History of the Southern Rocky Mountains: Geological Survey of America Memoir 144, p. 1-44, doi: 10.1130/MEM144-p1.
64. Unruh, J.R., Wong, I.G., Bott, J.D.J., Silva, W.J., and Lettis, W.R., 1993, Seismotectonic evaluation, Rifle Gap Dam, Silt Project, Ruedi Dam, Fryingpan-Arkansas Project, northwestern Colorado: unpublished report prepared by William Lettis & Associates and Woodward-Clyde Consultants for U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Denver, Colorado, 154 p.
65. Walker, R.T., Khatib, M.M., Bahroudi, A., Rodés, A., Schnable, C., Fattahi, M., Talebian, M., and Bergman, E., 2013, Co-seismic, geomorphic, and geologic fold growth associated with the 1978 Tabas-e-Golshan earthquake fault in eastern Iran: Geomorphology, doi: 10.1016/j.geomorph.2013.02.016.
66. Walters, R.F., 1978, Land subsidence in central Kansas related to salt dissolution: University of Kansas Publications Bulletin 214, 82 p.
67. Warner, J.W., Heimes, F.J., and Middleburg, R.F., 1984, Ground-water contribution to the salinity of the upper Colorado River Basin: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigation Report 84-4198, 113 p.
68. Warren, J.K., 2006, Evaporites: Sediments, Resources and Hydrocarbons: Berlin, Springer, 1035 p.
69. Wells, D.L., and Coppersmith, K.J., 1994, New empirical relationships among magnitude, rupture length, rupture width, rupture area, and surface displacement: Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, v. 84, p. 974-1002.
70. Wesnousky, 2008, Displacement and geometrical characteristics of earthquake surface ruptures: Issues and implications for seismic-hazard analysis and the process of earthquake rupture: Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, v. 98, p. 1609-1632.
71. Widmann, B.L., Kirkham, R.M., and Rogers, W.P., 1998, Preliminary Quaternary fault and fold map and database of Colorado: Colorado Geological Survey Open-File Report 98-8, 331 p.
72. Yeats, R.S., 1986a, Faults related to folding with examples from New Zealand: Royal Society of New Zealand Bulletin, v. 24, p. 273-292.
73. Yeats, R.S., 1986b, Active faults related to folding, in Wallace, R.E., ed., Active Tectonics: Washington, D.C., National Academy Press, p. 63-79.
74. Yeats, R.S., Clark, M.N., Keller, E.A., and Rockwell, T.K., 1981, Active fault hazard in southern California: Ground rupture versus seismic shaking: Geological Society of America Bulletin, v. 92, p. 189-196, doi: 10.1130/0016-7606 (1981)92 <189: AFHISC>2.0.CO;2..
75. Yerkes, R.F., Ellsworth, W.L., and Tinsley, J.C., 1983, Triggered reserve fault and earthquake due to crustal unloading, northwest Transverse Ranges, California: Geology, v. 11, p. 287-291, doi: 10.1130/0091-7613 (1983)11 <287: TRFAED>2.0.CO;2..