Nettsider med emneord «Geochronology»
The San Andreas fault (SAF) in California has one of the highest probabilities of a future large earthquake. But despite decades of studies, predicting the location and magnitude of the next large earthquake still eludes geoscientists. The SAF in the Coachella Valley has received increased attention due to recent Mw ≥ 5.0 earthquakes along the Landers–Mojave Line seemingly converging towards the fault and due to new field mapping suggesting gradual locking of the fault in the area. However, despite significant development of geochronology in the past 30 years, past studies mostly focused on the northern, aseismically creeping portion of the SAF, which is less prone to earthquakes, and on nearby, less earthquake-prone faults in the south. We will investigate the Coachella Valley segment of the SAFand associated major splays using structural fieldwork and K–Ar, U–Pb, U–Th–He, and U series geochronological analysis of synkinematic minerals along the fault to constrain the timing of movement and evaluate the role of various types of structures in deformation. The project has significant implications for the study of active faults in populated areas and for tectonic reconstruction of the western margin of North America.
The San Andreas fault (SAF) in California has one of the highest probabilities of a future large earthquake. But despite decades of studies, predicting the location and magnitude of the next large earthquake still eludes geoscientists. The SAF in the Coachella Valley has received increased attention due to recent Mw ≥ 5.0 earthquakes along the Landers–Mojave Line seemingly converging towards the fault and due to new field mapping suggesting gradual locking of the fault in the area. However, despite significant development of geochronology in the past 30 years, past studies mostly focused on the northern, aseismically creeping portion of the SAF, which is less prone to earthquakes, and on nearby, less earthquake-prone faults in the south. We will investigate the Coachella Valley segment of the SAFand associated major splays using structural fieldwork and K–Ar, U–Pb, U–Th–He, and U series geochronological analysis of synkinematic minerals along the fault to constrain the timing of movement and evaluate the role of various types of structures in deformation. The project has significant implications for the study of active faults in populated areas and for tectonic reconstruction of the western margin of North America.
Earth’s history, structure, and change is archived in our rocks. Through the lens of geophysics, structural geology, stratigraphy, palaeontology, and sedimentology we can reveal how our planet has changed in the past and is undergoing change today.
