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Thesis (M.S.)--University of Nevada, Reno, 2007. / "May, 2007." Includes bibliographical references (leaves 155-165). Online version available on the World Wide Web.

Thesis (M.S.)--Humboldt State University, 2008. / Two folded maps in pocket. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 90-95). Also available via Humboldt Digital Scholar.

Thesis (M.S.)--Humboldt State University, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 64-67). Also available via Humboldt Digital Scholar.

Different patterns of uniform-uplift periods associated with passage of the Mendocino triple junction (MTJ) and a change in tectonic regime are based on altudinal spacing analyses of nine flights of marine terraces. Rates of uplift appear to increase from <1 m/ka to 4-5 m/ka, with periods of most rapid uplift that are progressively younger toward the triple junction. The MTJ was about 55 km to the south at about 1 ma ago, where uplift has been uniform at about 1.3 m/ka during the last 300 ka. Maximum uplift of about 4 m/ka is occurring 20-40 km south of the MTJ; prior to about 100-150 ka uplift was slow, being only 0.2-0.5 m/ka. Ten km to the north of the MTJ, accelerated uplift has occurred only during the last 60 ka. Relative strength of soil development in sandy marine deposits on five Pleistocene and Holocene (1.7 to 120 ka) marine terraces near the MTJ is one basis for relative age estimates and correlation of terrace soils. Organic carbon content in the upper 70 cm of the soil profile increases exponentially, and pH decreases exponentially; for both properties steady state is attained by 40 ka. Whole profile content of clay, total free iron oxyhydroxides (Fe(d)), and total free and para-crystalline aluminum oxyhydroxides increase nearly linearly until at least 120 ka. Comparison of these soils with four marine terrace soils (103-405 ka) 100-120 km to the south indicates that maximum percent values of clay and Fe(d) increase exponentially, with highest values reached at about 120 ka. Analysis of three-dimensional morphological properties of 25 coastal drainage basins that have evolved in areas of low (<1 m/ka), intermediate (1-3 m/ka), and high (>3 m/ka) rates of uplift near the MTJ identified channel slopes as the best indicator of tectonism in the landscape. Lower order tributaries reflect tectonically-controlled differences best. The largest streams examined, of third order, are able to adjust to most base-level change and maintain their profile form, whereas lower order streams farther upstream tend to accumulate the effects of net base-level fall, and have steepest profiles in the areas of highest uplift. Although first order streams are excellent indicators of highest uplift rate areas and regional differential tilting, they are less useful in distinguishing between low and intermediate uplift rate areas. Analysis of the longitudinal profile of the main trunk stream of 10 of the 25 drainage basins with the stream-gradient index (Hack, 1957) was useful to broadly categorize uplift rates, and to distinguish between low and intermediate uplift rate streams.

Fracture distribution in a fold and thrust belt is commonly thought to vary depending on structural position, strain, lithology and mechanical stratigraphy. The distribution, geometry, orientation, intensity, connectivity and fill of fractures in a reservoir are all important influences on fractured reservoir quality. The presence of fractures is particularly beneficial in reservoirs that contain little matrix porosity or permeability, for example tight sandstones. In these examples fractures provide essential secondary porosity and permeability that enhance reservoir production. To predict how reservoir quality may fluctuate spatially, it is important to understand how fracture attributes may vary, and what controls them. This research aims to investigate the influence of structural position on fracture attribute variations. Detailed fracture data collection is undertaken on folded sandstone outcrops. 2D forward modelling and 3D model restorations are used to predict strain distribution in the fold-and-thrust belt. Relationships between fracture attributes and predicted strain are determined. Discrete Fracture Network (DFN) modelling is then undertaken to predict fracture attribute variations. DFN modelling results are compared with field fracture data to determine how well fractured reservoir quality can be predicted. Field data suggests strain is a major controlling factor on fracture formation. Fractures become more organised and predictable as strain increases. For example in high strain forelimb regions, fracture intensity and connectivity are high, and fracture orientations are consistent. In lower strain regions, fracture attributes are much more variable and unpredictable. Fracture variations often do not correspond to strain fluctuations, and correlations can be seen between fracture intensity and lithology. Reservoir quality is likely to be much more variable in low strain regions than high strain regions. DFN modelling is also challenging because fracture attribute variations in low strain regions do not correspond to strain, and therefore cannot be predicted.

This dissertation research assesses the behavior of young faults in central Nevada through analyses of landforms associated with these faults. Four large earthquakes have occurred since 1915 in a striking N-S belt in central Nevada; no comparable earthquakes have occurred elsewhere in the Great Basin. The frequency of large-earthquake occurrence, and temporal and spatial patterns and rates of faulting in central Nevada during the Holocene were assessed through geomorphic and geologic studies of young fault scarps. Ages of paleoseismic events were estimated primarily through analyses of fault scarp morphologies and characterization and quantification of soil development associated with alluvial surfaces. Rates of fault scarp degradation were explored through diffusion-based modeling of latest Pleistocene pluvial shoreline scarps. Morphologic scarp age depends strongly on scarp size; modest variations in local climate, particle size, and aspect are less important. Incorporating a factor that depends on scarp size almost always decreases the scatter in scarp age estimates, and is critical if only small scarps exist along a fault zone. An average of ±30% uncertainty about the mean scarp age estimate remains after these analyses. Soil development indices were calibrated using 14 Holocene to latest Pleistocene soil profiles in central Nevada whose maximum ages are constrained. Soil development indices were used to estimate ages of faulted and unfaulted alluvial surfaces along fault scarps. Soils and morphologic fault scarp age estimates for paleoseismic events are generally consistent. Temporal and spatial patterns and rates of faulting during the Holocene were evaluated using age estimates for paleoseismic events. The long-term rate of faulting is about 10 times lower than the historical rate. There were no other N-S belts of faulting during the Holocene, although scarp ages suggest that there may have been other temporal clusters of faulting. There have been spatial clusters of faulting during portions of the Holocene. The extensional deformation rate across central Nevada during the Holocene is about 0.5-0.75 mm/yr. Integrating this rate with fault-slip data from other portions of the northern Great Basin, the Holocene extensional deformation rate is 3.5-6.5 mm/yr, substantially lower than the historical deformation rate.

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The largest earthquakes and the majority of the seismic energy are released on megathrust faults in subduction zones. The goal of this dissertation is to characterize the seismic behavior, structural and physical properties of the megathrust fault, so that we can better understand the controls on slip behavior and large earthquakes. To address this goal, I analyzed seismicity data collected by a local seismic network deployed in southern Alaska and multi-channel seismic (MCS) data from an active-source survey offshore of the Alaska Peninsula. This dissertation work revealed seismicity patterns associated with a large asperity, downdip transitions in megathrust fault structure, and along-strike variations in the properties of subducting sediment on the shallow part of the subduction zone. All of these observations have important implications for seismic behavior of the megathrust.

Thesis (M.S.)--West Virginia University, 2007. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains vii, 102 p. : ill. (some col.), maps (some col.). Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 91-94).