Paleoseismology Series
Paleoseismology is the study of prehistoric earthquakes. Only large earthquakes that cause coseismic surface rupture or otherwise disturb the ground surface (liquefaction, earthquake-induced landslides, tectonic subsidence) leave evidence in the geologic record of their occurrence. For additional information on earthquakes and related information, see our Earthquake Publications and Quaternary Studies.


Abstracts for UGS Paleoseismic publications
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Special Study 75. Paleoseismology of Utah, Volume 1: Fault behavior and earthquake recurrence on the Provo segment of the Wasatch fault zone at Mapleton, Utah County, Utah, by W.R. Lund, D.P. Schwartz, W.E. Mulvey, K.E. Budding, and B.D. Black, 1991, 41 p. $7.75. Trenches were excavated across the Wasatch fault zone in the southern part of Utah Valley. The study refined data on the size and timing of prehistoric earthquakes along the Wasatch and determined a single rupture segment (the Provo segment as proposed in previous studies rather than subdividing into the American Fork, Provo restricted, and Spanish Fork segments). Calendar-calibrated radiocarbn dates constrain the timing of the most recent surface faulting at 600 plus/minus 80 yr B.P. with an estimated vertical tectonic displacement of 1.4 to 3.0 m (4.6-9.8 ft). The penultimate event occurred shortly before 2,820 (+150, -130) yr B.P.

Special Study 76. Paleoseismology of Utah Volume 2: Paleoseismic analysis of the Wasatch fault zone at the Brigham City trench site, Brigham City, Utah and the Pole Patch trench site, Pleasant View, Utah, by S.F. Personius, 39 p., 1991 $1.00. The Brigham City trench was excavated and logged in September and October 1986 across a fault scarp on the Bowden Canyon alluvial fan on the eastern outskirts of Brigham City, Utah, during field investigations and mapping of the Brigham City segment of the Wasatch fault zone. Trenching studies in the Brigham City area were part of a larger effort to better define the timing of individual surface-faulting earthquakes along the more populated parts of the Wasatch fault zone. This report begins with a description of the Quaternary geologic setting of the region and some of the stratigraphic and structural relations in the Brigham City trench. The report continues with a description of the most likely sequence of faulting events and a discussion of the dating and timing of these events and concludes with a discussion of some seismologic implications of the Brigham City trench data.

Special Study 78. Paleoseismology of Utah Volume 3: The number and timing of paleoseismic events on the Nephi and Levan segments, Wasatch fault zone, Utah, by Michael Jackson, 23 p., 3 pl., 1991 $1.00. This report on the Holocene history of ground-rupturing earthquakes provides information on earthquake timing and recurrence, fault displacement, and fault geometry that is used to characterize seismic-source zones and to evaluate the long-term earthquake potential of active faults. Extensive use is made of the relatively new thermoluminescence technique to date events. The availability of a reliable dating technique usable in organic-poor, arid environments represents a significant advance in the dating of geologically recent events.

Special Study 82. Paleoseismology of Utah Volume 4: Seismotectonics of north-central Utah and southwestern Wyoming, by Michael W. West, 93 p., 5 pl., 1994 $16.50. This publication concerns Quaternary faulting along the north flank of the Uinta Mountains in north-central Utah and southwestern Wyoming. More than the usual "site-specific" trench study, this report presents a comprehensive evaluation and regional synthesis of the seismotectonic setting along the Utah-Wyoming border. Results of the study provide strong evidence for Quaternary normal-slip reactivation of thrust faults along the leading edge of the Wyoming part of the Sevier orogenic belt. In addition, fault-trenching studies like this one provide critical information on earthquake timing, recurrence, displacement, fault geometry, and related earthquake-induced hazards that can be used to characterize seismic-source zones and to evaluate long-term earthquake potential and risk from active faults. The author, currently in private geologic consulting practice, is the former head of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation's Seismotectonic Section, which specializes in seismic-hazard evaluations of proposed and existing USBR dams. Work in the study area was initiated as part of an evaluation of the Meeks Cabin and Stateline dams on the north flank of the Uinta Mountains.

Special Study 83. Paleoseismology of Utah Volume 5: Neotectonic deformation along the East Cache fault zone, Cache County, Utah by J.P. McCalpin, 37 p., 1994 $5.50. The East Cache fault zone trends along the east side of northern Utah's Cache Valley at the base of the Bear River Range. This report uses the results from two detailed trenching studies, an evaluation of Lake Bonneville highstand shoreline deformation, and a geomorphic analysis of Bear River Range front faceted spurs to characterize the prehistory seismic behavior and the earthquake potential of the fault zone.

Special Study 88 Paleoseismology of Utah Volume 6: The Oquirrh fault zone, Tooele County, Utah: surficial geology and paleoseismicity, W.R. Lund, editor, 64 p., 2 pl., 1:24,000, 1996 $1.00. Surficial geology of the Oquirrh fault zone, Tooele County, Utah, by B.J. Solomon; Paleoseismic investigation of the Oquirrh fault zone, Tooele County, Utah, by S.S. Olig, W.R. Lund, B.D. Black, and B.H. Mayes

Special Study 92 Paleoseismology of Utah Volume 7: Paleoseismic investigation on the Salt Lake City segment of the Wasatch fault zone at the South Fork Dry Creek and Dry Gulch sites, Salt Lake County, Utah, by B.D. Black, W.R. Lund, D.P. Schwartz, H.E. Gill, and B.H. Mayes, 22 p., 1 pl., 1996 $1.00. The two trench sites are in the southeastern part of the Salt Lake Valley and provide the only location on the heavily urbanized segment of this segment of the WFZ where it is possible to develop a complete surface-faulting chronology for the past 6,000 years. New information presented shows an earthquake hazard greater than previously assumed.

Special Study 93 Paleoseismology of Utah Volume 8: Paleoseismic investigation at Rock Canyon, Provo segment, Wasatch fault zone, Utah County, Utah, by W.R. Lund and B.D. Black, 21 p., 2 pl., 3/98 $8.75

Special Study 98 Paleoseismology of Utah Volume 9: Paleoseismic investigation of the Clarkston, Junction Hills, and Wellsville faults, West Cache fault zone, Cache County, Utah by B.D. Black, R.E. Giraud, and B.H. Mayes, 23 p., 1 pl., 3/00 $10.50

Neotectonics of Bear Lake Valley, Utah and Idaho; a preliminary assessment, by James P. McCalpin, 43 p., ISBN 1-55791-694-2, 2003, MP-03-4 $11.00
This report presents the results of a preliminary evaluation of the East Bear Lake (EBF) and West Bear Lake (WBF) fault zones, which bound the east and west sides, respectively, of the Bear Lake Valley. The Bear Lake Valley straddles the Utah/Idaho border northeast of Logan, Utah. The results of this study show that both the EBF and the WBF have experienced surface-faulting earthquakes in the recent geologic past and therefore represent an ongoing seismic hazard to northeastern Utah and southeastern Idaho.

Consensus preferred recurrence-interval and vertical slip-rate estimates: review of Utah paleoseismic-trenching data by the Utah Quaternary Fault Parameters Working Group, by William R. Lund, CD (109 p.), ISBN 1-55791-727-2, 2005, B-134 $19.95

Holocene earthquake history of the northern Weber segment of the Wasatch fault zone, Utah, by Alan R. Nelson, Mike Lowe, Stephen Personius, Lee-Ann Bradley, Steven L. Forman, Robert Klauk, and John Garr, CD (39 p., 2 pl.), ISBN 1-55791-741-8, 2006, MP-05-8 $14.95

Special Study 119 Paleoseismic investigation and long-term slip history of the Hurricane fault in southwestern Utah, by William R. Lund, Michael J. Hozik, and Stanley C. Hatfield, CD (81 p.), ISBN 1-55791-760-4, 1/07, SS-119 $11.00

Special Study 121 Surficial-geologic reconnaissance and scarp profiling on the Colliston and Clarkston Mountain segments of the Wasatch fault zone, Box Elder County, Utah - Paleoseismic inferences, implications for adjacent segments, and issues for diffusion-equation scarp-age modeling, by Michael D. Hylland, ISBN 1-55791-763-9, CD (18 p.), 1/07, SS-121 $9.95

Special Study 122 Paleoseismology of Utah, Volume 16: Paleoseismic reconnaissance of the Sevier fault, Kane and Garfield Counties, Utah, by William R. Lund, Tyler R. Knudsen, and Garrett S. Vice, CD (27 p. + 4 p. appendices), ISBN 1-55791-787-6, 2008 $14.95

Special Study 124 Paleoseismology of Utah, Volume 17: Paleoseismic investigation of the northern strand of the Nephi segment of the Wasatch fault zone at Santaquin, Utah, by Christopher B. DuRoss, Greg N. McDonald, and William R. Lund, CD (30 p. + 3 p. appendix, 1 pl.), ISBN 1-55791-789-2 2008 $14.95


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