Geophysical investigations of the Espanola basin, Rio Grande rift, northern New Mexico

摘要

Seismic and gravity data collected by the Summer of Applied Geophysical Experience (SAGE), along with energy-industry seismic data, well data, and geologic maps, go into the construction of geologic cross sections transecting the Rio Grande rift in the area of the Espanola basin. These cross sections reveal several key structures within the basin including the eastern bounding fault of the Los Alamos graben, and the Agua Fria fault system near the eastern boundary of the basin. Additionally, we find no evidence in the data presented here supporting the linking of the Embudo and Santa Clara faults. Finally, by flattening the geologic cross sections on several unconformity surfaces, a temporal structural progression of the study area is developed. Using the resulting paleo cross sections, we show that the trend of the Laramide Sangre de Cristo uplift likely varied markedly from the modern uplift.