depthtobedrockusinggravimetryinthe renoand carson city（depthtobedrockusinggravimetryinthe renoand卡森市）.docVIP

University of Nevada Reno Geophysical Constraints on Seismic Hazard and Tectonics in the Western Basin and Range A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Geophysics by Robert E. Abbott Dr. John N. Louie/Dissertation Advisor December 2001 Signature Page Abstract Three studies show the effectiveness of shallow exploration geophysics in solving problems related to tectonics and seismic hazard. In Chapter 2, 200 new gravity measurements are used to find depth-to-bedrock in the Reno and Carson City areas. Depth-to-bedrock and shallow shear-wave velocities have been shown to have an effect on ground motion from earthquakes, prompting the study. Maximum basin depth in Reno is 1.2 km and maximum depth in Carson City is 0.53 km. Quaternary fill might only rarely exceed 200 m. An unexpected and previously unsampled gravity trough in Reno may increase seismic hazard there relative to other parts of the basins. In Chapter 3, I use a combination of seismic and gravity techniques to prove that the 1954, Ms 6.8, Dixie Valley, Nevada, earthquake produced slip on a low-angle (30°) normal fault. The fault maintains a low-angle and slightly listric geometry to the depth of constraint (1.75 km seismic; 2.7 km gravity). As such, the Dixie Valley event may represent the first large, low-angle normal earthquake on land recorded historically. This result may increase the awareness of the potential hazard posed by low-angle normal faults. In Chapter 4 I conclude, from the study of weak ground motion spectral ratios and in situ velocity characterization, that the continued existence of precarious rocks in their untoppled state near the San Andreas fault is not due to local site or path effects. Velocity characterization, using a combination of refraction-microtremor and seismic tomography methods, shows that the precarious rock sites are slower than the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program BC boundary f