Geophysical Studies of the Basin Structures along the Eastern Front of the Sierra Nevada

Author: Healy, John Helding

Year: 1961

Degree: Dissertation (Ph.D.)

Advisor: Press, Frank

Committee Member: Unknown, Unknown

Option: Geophysics; Physics

DOI: 10.7907/403B-RW91

Abstract

Eighteen seismic refraction profiles were shot and about 1200 gravity stations were occupied in the basins bordering the eastern Sierra Nevada between Owens Lake and the Garlock Fault. The results of these data show that basin structures with maximum depths averaging between 4000 to 6000 feet follow the front of the Sierra for this entire distance except for about ten miles near Little Lake.

These basins are usually narrow, fault-bounded structures with their deepest parts close to the front of the Sierras.

Analysis of the regional gradients indicates that the Mohorovicic discontinuity can play only a minor role in the isostatic support of the Sierra Nevada.

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