Synconvergent surface-breaking normal faults of Late Cretaceous age within the Sevier hinterland, east-central Nevada

Abstract

Research Article| May 01, 2009 Synconvergent surface-breaking normal faults of Late Cretaceous age within the Sevier hinterland, east-central Nevada Peter Druschke; Peter Druschke 11Department of Geoscience, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Nevada 89154, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Andrew D. Hanson; Andrew D. Hanson 11Department of Geoscience, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Nevada 89154, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Michael L. Wells; Michael L. Wells 11Department of Geoscience, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Nevada 89154, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Troy Rasbury; Troy Rasbury 22Department of Geosciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Daniel F. Stockli; Daniel F. Stockli 33Department of Geology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66045, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar George Gehrels George Gehrels 44Department of Geosciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Peter Druschke 11Department of Geoscience, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Nevada 89154, USA Andrew D. Hanson 11Department of Geoscience, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Nevada 89154, USA Michael L. Wells 11Department of Geoscience, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Nevada 89154, USA Troy Rasbury 22Department of Geosciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794, USA Daniel F. Stockli 33Department of Geology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66045, USA George Gehrels 44Department of Geosciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, USA Publisher: Geological Society of America Received: 30 Sep 2008 Revision Received: 23 Dec 2008 Accepted: 03 Jan 2009 First Online: 02 Mar 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 © 2009 Geological Society of America Geology (2009) 37 (5): 447–450. https://doi.org/10.1130/G25546A.1 Article history Received: 30 Sep 2008 Revision Received: 23 Dec 2008 Accepted: 03 Jan 2009 First Online: 02 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Permissions Search Site Citation Peter Druschke, Andrew D. Hanson, Michael L. Wells, Troy Rasbury, Daniel F. Stockli, George Gehrels; Synconvergent surface-breaking normal faults of Late Cretaceous age within the Sevier hinterland, east-central Nevada. Geology 2009;; 37 (5): 447–450. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G25546A.1 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 hinterland of the Sevier orogenic belt of western North America is widely interpreted as a Cretaceous to Paleogene orogenic plateau. Although evidence for mid-crustal extension of Late Cretaceous age within the Sevier hinterland is widespread, coeval surface-breaking normal fault systems have not been documented. New 1:12,000-scale mapping within the type section of the latest Cretaceous to Eocene Sheep Pass Formation of east-central Nevada suggests that deposition occurred in response to normal fault movement recording up to 4 km of Late Cretaceous and Paleogene stratigraphic throw. Intrabasinal normal faulting caused lateral thickness variations within the basal Sheep Pass Formation, although upper members are largely unaffected. An extensional basin setting best explains the fanning of bedding dips, the deposition of megabreccia, and the presence of syndepositional normal faults within the Sheep Pass Formation. Deposition of the basal member of the Sheep Pass Formation is bracketed between ca. 81.3 ± 3.7 Ma and 66.1 ± 5.4 Ma, based on the (U-Th)/He cooling ages of detrital zircons, and on a U-Pb carbonate age derived from the overlying lacustrine limestone member. These new data provide the strongest evidence to date for the existence of Late Cretaceous, surface-breaking normal faults in the Sevier hinterland. Normal faulting was coeval with mid-crustal hinterland extension and with continued contraction within the Sevier foreland to the east. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.