Author ORCID Identifier

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5139-4570

Date Available

5-10-2023

Year of Publication

2023

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Document Type

Master's Thesis

College

Arts and Sciences

Department/School/Program

Earth and Environmental Sciences (Geology)

First Advisor

Dr. James Ryan Thigpen

Abstract

Terrestrial paleoseismological records along the Teton fault have historically indicated two-to-three major post-Pinedale (~14 ka) earthquake events, leaving an unresolved 6-9 m offset along the modern scarp. Recent studies of Jenny Lake have augmented this record, but the triggering mechanism is still equivocal until new paleo-earthquake records are developed. The earthquake record of the Teton fault is complicated by quiescence from ~5 ka to present, demonstrating the need for additional paleoseismic investigations. Compressed, high-intensity radar pulse (CHIRP) reflection data from Jackson Lake indicates multiple potentially seismically-induced mass transport deposits (MTDs). At least six MTD Groups representing chronostratigraphic intervals were interpreted to be linked potentially to seismicity due to their number, thicknesses, and spatial distribution. Using a range of sedimentation rates, we approximate the ages of these MTD Groups to be ~5.5 ka, ~11.3 ka, ~10.9 ka, ~12.9 ka, ~16.5 ka, and ~20.2 ka, although the application of rates here introduces considerable error. Future Jackson Lake research will establish an absolute chronology in the upper ~50 m of lake strata, identifying MTD event timing using long cores. If seismically-derived MTDs are dated to times not yet recognized, these lake sediment records could substantially augment the recent history of Teton fault slip.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

https://doi.org/10.13023/etd.2023.166

Funding Information

This study was supported by the National Science Foundation Tectonics Program EAR 1932808 in 2020 to 2023, awarded to Dr. James Ryan Thigpen.

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