Corley, John H.

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Public AbstractFirst Name:JohnMiddle Name:Hunter Last Name:CorleyAdviser's First Name:FranciscoAdviser's Last Name:GomezCo-Adviser's First Name:Co-Adviser's Last Name:Graduation Term:FS 2014Department:GeologyDegree:MSTitle:QUATERNARY DEFORMATION ALONG THE NORTH WUTAISHAN FAULT IN THE SHANXI RIFTSYSTEM, CHINAThe Shanxi Rift System in northern China is a tectonically active area in an intraplate setting.  This studyused data from multiple scales to investigate the influence of tectonics on small and large scale features.  Itwas found that paleostream profiles created from corresponding stream terraces generally follow themodern stream profile; however, there was evidence of converging profiles in the upper reaches of theYangyan River.  Offset stream terraces found on either side of a smaller fault splaying off of the WutaishanFault were calculated to have fault throw/uplift rates less than the main Wutaishn fault. Quaternary faultingrates were also calculated for the Wutaishan and it was found that fault throw/uplift rates were steadythroughout history until more recently.  Geomorphic indices of morphometric analyses were used to assessthe tectonic activity in the area.  The results suggest that there may be a correlation between highermorphometric indices and strain accumulation at a fault bend.  An analysis of fault kinematic indicatorsfound at an outcrop reveal NW-SE extension.  A reanalysis of 13 earthquakes in North China reveal thatthe averaged movement in the region exhibits wrenching behavior.  These two analyses suggest that thestrain accumulation for the basins in the Shanxi Rift System is locally controlled by normal faults, and thatthe strain accumulation for region as a whole is accommodated by a “wrenching” type of deformation (i.e., aregional, horizontal shear) in response to tectonic forces.  Research of the Shanxi Rift System's structuraland seismological properties can supplement knowledge regarding similar intracontinental rifts such as theBaikal Rift or the Rio Grande Rift, or failed rifts in the case of the New Madrid Seismic Zone.  

Quaternary deformation along the north Wutaishan fault in the Shanxi Rift system, China

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