385 D41. Structural Geology (Posters): Analysis of Faulting, Deformation and Flow

Wednesday, 25 October 2017
9:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Halls 4EF

EFFECTS OF RIO GRANDE RIFT RELATED FAULTS ON DOMINANT FRACTURE TRENDS OF EL PASO’S THREE SISTERS INTRUSIVE FORMATION

Paper number: 385-1
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 9:00 AM – 6:30 PM

Authors

Abstract

Three Sisters is a shallow depth andesitic intrusion dated at 47-48 ma located in western El Paso, Texas. After exposure through potential rift-related processes, the area has undergone extensive faulting. Such faults have shaped the peaks and in turn have affected the dominant fracture directions of each peak. In saying that, the fracture directions measure at approximately the same angles, the only difference being the directions in which they trend. Fault processes forming the various fracture directions correlate with soon to be obtained apatite dates for uplift of Three Sisters intrusive body. What becomes of the apatite dating will give way to a possible driving force of the faults and fractures found at Three Sisters (i.e. rift-related processes or Laramide Orogeny mountain building processes). Utilizing Google Earth and a Brunton compass, presumed fractures and faults were measured for orientation analysis. The results are then plotted in a stereonet software to determine similarities and/or anomalies in the measurements recorded. Charts such as contour diagrams and rose diagrams are used to find dominant trend directions. In completing this project I hope to encourage future UTEP-ROCCS students to continue similar research at Three Sisters and/or other geologic locations in El Paso.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 49, No. 6

doi: 10.1130/abs/2017AM-307546

© Copyright 2017 The Geological Society of America (GSA), all rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to the author(s) of this abstract to reproduce and distribute it freely, for noncommercial purposes. Permission is hereby granted to any individual scientist to download a single copy of this electronic file and reproduce up to 20 paper copies for noncommercial purposes advancing science and education, including classroom use, providing all reproductions include the complete content shown here, including the author information. All other forms of reproduction and/or transmittal are prohibited without written permission from GSA Copyright Permissions.