Sierra Nevada Aquatic Research Laboratory

22 Jul, 08 PM - 29 Jul, 01 PM

I propose to measure the dextral slip rate of the Long Valley fault zone (LVFZ), a newly discovered component of the Eastern California Shear Zone-Walker Lane (ECSZ-WL) that separates the Sierra Nevada microplate from the Basin and Range province. The LVFZ was previously mapped as a part of a system of normal faults that cut the volcanic tablelands between Mammoth and Bishop, California. New mapping reveals approximately 300m dextral offset of a buried buttress unconformity by the LVFZ. This buttress is hypothesized to be a result of normal faulting associated with the collapse of the Long Valley caldera 765,000 years ago, which would support a long-term dextral slip rate of 0.5 mm/yr for the LVFZ. The LVFZ also appears to dextrally offset shoreline cliffs formed by the highstand of the ancient Long Valley Lake, considered to have occupied the caldera until approximately 140,000 years ago. For my M.S. thesis, I will map the Long Valley fault zone to confirm and measure all proposed offsets. This will be complimented by collecting and processing samples for surface-exposure dating of the highstand of Long Valley Lake to constrain the age of the offset shoreline. Proving the hypothesis of right slip on the Long Valley fault would show that a component to dextral faulting associated with the central Walker Lane occurs close to the Sierra Nevada range front on previously overlooked strike-slip faults.

Visit #85053 @Sierra Nevada Aquatic Research Laboratory

Approved

Under Project # 53598 | Research

Slip Rate and hazard potential if the Long Valley fault zone near Mammoth, CA

graduate_student - University of California, Davis

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Yvonne Leon Jul 22 - 29, 2023 (8 days)
Julianna Velazquez Jul 22 - 29, 2023 (8 days)

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Lodging (university class rate, 2 night minimum) 2 Jul 24 - 26, 2023
Camping 2 Jul 25 - 29, 2023