On the role of isostasy in the evolution of normal fault systems

Abstract

Research Article| September 01, 1988 On the role of isostasy in the evolution of normal fault systems Brian Wernicke; Brian Wernicke 1Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Gary J. Axen Gary J. Axen 1Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Brian Wernicke 1Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138 Gary J. Axen 1Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138 Publisher: Geological Society of America First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 Geological Society of America Geology (1988) 16 (9): 848–851. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1988)016<0848:OTROII>2.3.CO;2 Article history First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Brian Wernicke, Gary J. Axen; On the role of isostasy in the evolution of normal fault systems. Geology 1988;; 16 (9): 848–851. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1988)016<0848:OTROII>2.3.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract The footwalls of west-dipping normal faults that separate the west-central Colorado Plateau from the Basin and Range province record at least 5-7 km, and perhaps as much as 15-20 km, of west side-up Neogene uplift, with an axis just 10-20 km west of unde-formed plateau strata. The uplift is expressed as folding and steep faulting in pre-Tertiary cratonic and disconformably overlying Neogene strata, forming a basement-cored anticline and coincident topographic high on the western margin of the plateau. We interpret the uplift as a nonelastic response of the crust to buoyancy forces accompanying the tectonic denudation of the plateau margin. Profound, isostatically driven deformation of the footwalls of major normal faults may be common in extensional terrains, calling into question several assumptions fundamental to existing models of the evolution of normal fault systems. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.