University of Kentucky UKnowledge University of Kentucky Master's Theses Graduate School 2007 GEOPHYSICAL AND GEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION OF NEOTECTONIC DEFORMATION ALONG THE CABORN AND HOVEY LAKE FAULTS, WABASH VALLEY FAULT SYSTEM, CENTRAL UNITED STATES James Whitt University of Kentucky, [email protected] Right click to open a feedback form in a new tab to let us know how this document benefits ou.y Recommended Citation Whitt, James, "GEOPHYSICAL AND GEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION OF NEOTECTONIC DEFORMATION ALONG THE CABORN AND HOVEY LAKE FAULTS, WABASH VALLEY FAULT SYSTEM, CENTRAL UNITED STATES" (2007). University of Kentucky Master's Theses. 464. https://uknowledge.uky.edu/gradschool_theses/464 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at UKnowledge. It has been accepted for inclusion in University of Kentucky Master's Theses by an authorized administrator of UKnowledge. For more information, please contact [email protected]. ABSTRACT OF THESIS GEOPHYSICAL AND GEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION OF NEOTECTONIC DEFORMATION ALONG THE CABORN AND HOVEY LAKE FAULTS, WABASH VALLEY FAULT SYSTEM, CENTRAL UNITED STATES Seismic reflection (P- and SH-wave), ground-penetrating radar, correlative drilling, and age dating data provide evidence of neotectonic deformation along the Caborn (CF) and Hovey Lake (HLF) faults, in the Wabash Valley fault system (WVFS). The WVFS is a series of high-angle normal faults located primarily in southern Indiana and Illinois. Since their formation, these faults have likely been transpressionally reactivated in the contemporary E-W-oriented compressive stress state. The WVFS has experienced large prehistoric earthquakes, but only moderate historic and contemporary seismicity; therefore, the seismic potential in this region is poorly defined. The bedrock expressions of the CF and HLF were imaged with seismic reflection data (P- and SH-wave). Higher resolution analyses were performed with seismic (SH- wave) and ground-penetrating radar surveys to characterize structure that may extend into the overlying Quaternary sediments. Anomalous features were cored to verify structure, and to collect datable material. The CF and HLF are interpreted to extend into the uppermost five meters of sediment and to displace horizons dated to 19,740 and 31,000 years before present, respectively. Displacement along the HLF is interpreted to extend 2-3 meters above the associated age date. These structures represent the only known primary coseismic deformation of the Late Quaternary within the WVFS. KEYWORDS: Neotectonics, Geophysics, Seismic Reflection, Quaternary Geology, Earthquakes James Whitt 7-31-07 Copyright © James W. Whitt 2007 HIGH-RESOLUTION GEOPHYSICAL AND GEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION OF NEOTECTONIC DEFORMATION, CABORN AND HOVEY LAKE FAULTS, WABASH VALLEY FAULT SYSTEM, INDIANA, USA By James Whitt Dr. Edward W. Woolery Director of Thesis Dr. Sue Rimmer Director of Graduate Studies RULES FOR THE USE OF THESES Unpublished theses submitted for the Master’s degree and deposited in the University of Kentucky Library are as a rule open for inspection, but are to be used only with due regard to the rights of the authors. Bibliographical references may be noted, but quotations or summaries of parts may be published only with the permission of the author, and with the usual scholarly acknowledgments. Extensive copying of publication of the thesis in whole or in part also requires the consent of the Dean of the Graduate School of the University of Kentucky. A library that borrows this thesis for use by its patrons is expected to secure the signature of each user. Name Date ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ Thesis James Warren Whitt The Graduate School University of Kentucky 2007 HIGH-RESOLUTION GEOPHYSICAL AND GEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION OF NEOTECTONIC DEFORMATION, CABORN AND HOVEY LAKE FAULTS, WABASH VALLEY FAULT SYSTEM, INDIANA, USA ____________________________________ THESIS ____________________________________ A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Kentucky By James Warren Whitt Lexington, Kentucky Director: Dr. Edward E. Woolery, Professor of Geophysics Lexington, Kentucky 2007 DEDICATION I dedicate this work to my parents, Rudy and Shirley Whitt, for all that they have done for me including their loving, motivational, and monetary support. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to give great acknowledgement to Dr. Edward E. Woolery for the direction and time he contributed to this project. I would also like to thank those who helped with field work: David Vance, Roy Van Arsdale, Cora Anderson, Ken Macpherson, Zhijian Wu, and Andrew Lynch. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgements............................................................................................................ iii List of Tables ..................................................................................................................... vi List of Figures................................................................................................................... vii List of Files ...................................................................................................................... viii Chapter One: Introduction ...................................................................................................1 1.1 Problem..............................................................................................................1 1.2 Objectives ..........................................................................................................1 1.3 Scientific and Engineering Significance............................................................2 Chapter Two: The Wabash Valley Fault System.................................................................7 2.1 Background and Conceptual Framework...........................................................7 2.1.1 Geologic and Tectonic History ...........................................................7 2.1.2 Structure of the Wabash Valley Fault System ..................................10 2.1.3 Relationship of Wabash Valley Fault System to Regional Structure ... ..........................................................................................................11 2.1.4 Seismicity..........................................................................................13 2.1.5 Stratigraphy.......................................................................................17 2.2 Previous Related Work ....................................................................................17 Chapter Three: Methodology.............................................................................................25 3.1 Seismic Reflection 3.1.1 Acquisition Geometry.......................................................................25 3.1.2 P-wave Reflection Acquisition .........................................................26 3.1.3 SH-wave Reflection Acquisition ......................................................26 3.1.4 Seismic Resolution............................................................................26 3.1.5 Acquisition Equipment .....................................................................28 3.1.5.1 Seismograph.......................................................................28 3.1.5.2 Geophones and Takeout Cables.........................................28 3.1.5.3 Energy Sources ..................................................................28 3.1.6 Data Processing.................................................................................29 3.1.7 Interpretation.....................................................................................30 3.2 Ground-Penetrating Radar ...............................................................................31 3.2.1 Acquisition........................................................................................31 3.2.2 Resolution .........................................................................................31 3.2.3 Data Processing.................................................................................31 3.3 Coring ..............................................................................................................32 3.4 Carbon Dating..................................................................................................33 Chapter Four: Results and Interpretation...........................................................................42