1887
  1. Home
  2. A-Z Publications
  3. Basin Research
  4. Volume 7, Issue 2
  5. Article
Volume 7 Number 2
  • E-ISSN: 1365-2117

Abstract

Abstract

Reflection seismic data show that the late Cenozoic Safford Basin in the Basin and Range of south‐eastern Arizona, is a 4.5‐km‐deep, NW‐trending, SW‐dipping half graben composed of middle Miocene to upper Pliocene sediments, separated by a late Miocene sequence boundary into lower and upper basin‐fill sequences. Extension during lower basin‐fill deposition was accommodated along an E‐dipping range‐bounding fault comprising a secondary breakaway zone along the north‐east flank of the Pinaleño Mountains core complex. This fault was a listric detachment fault, active throughout the mid‐Tertiary and late Cenozoic, or a younger fault splay that cut or merged with the detachment fault. Most extension in the basin was accommodated by slip on the range‐bounding fault, although episodic movement along antithetic faults temporarily created a symmetric graben. Upper‐plate movement over bends in the range‐bounding fault created rollover structures in the basin fill and affected deposition within the half graben. Rapid periods of subsidence relative to sedimentation during lower basin‐fill deposition created thick, laterally extensive lacustrine or alluvial plain deposits, and restricted proximal alluvian‐fan deposits to the basin margins. A period of rapid extension and subsidence relative to sediment influx, or steepening of the upper segment of the range‐bounding fault at the start of upper basin‐fill deposition resulted in a large downwarp over a major fault bend. Sedimentation was restricted to this downwarp until filled. Episodic subsidence during upper basin‐fill deposition caused widespread interbedding of lacustrine and fluvial deposits. Northeastward tilting along the south‐western flank of the basin and north‐eastward migration of the depocentre during later periods of upper basin‐fill deposition suggest decreased extension rates relative to late‐stage core complex uplift.

Loading

Article metrics loading...

/content/journals/10.1111/j.1365-2117.1995.tb00100.x
2007-11-06
2024-04-18

  • From This Site

    /content/journals/10.1111/j.1365-2117.1995.tb00100.x
    dcterms_title,dcterms_subject,pub_keyword
    -contentType:Journal -contentType:Contributor -contentType:Concept -contentType:Institution
    10
    5
Loading full text...

Full text loading...

References

  1. Anderson, R. E., Zoback, M. L. & Thompson, G. A. (1983) Implications of selectcd subsurface data on the structural form and evolution of some basins in the northern Basin and Range province, Nevada and Utah. Bull. geol. Soc. Am., 94, 1055–1072.
    [Google Scholar]
  2. Bartley, J. M., Fletcherl, J. M. & Glazner, A. F. (1990) Tertiary extension d contraction of lower‐plate rocks in the central Mojave metamorphic core complex, southern California. Tecionin, 9, 521–534.
    [Google Scholar]
  3. Buck, W. R. (1988) Flexural rotation of normal faults. Tectonics, 7, 959–973.
    [Google Scholar]
  4. Buck, W. R. (1993) Effect of lithospheric thickness on the formation of high‐ and low‐angle normal faults. Geology, 21, 933–936.
    [Google Scholar]
  5. Blacet, P. M. & Miller, S. T. (1978) Reconnaissance geologic map of the Jackson Mountain quadrangle, Graham County, Arizona. U.S. geol. Surv. Mist. Field Studies Map, MF‐939.
  6. Bohannon, R. G., Grow, J. A., Miller, J. J. & Blank, R. H., Jr (1993) Seismic stratigraphy and tectonic development of Virgin River depression and associated basins, southeastern Nevada and northwestern Arizona. Bull. geol. Soc. Am., 105, 501–520.
    [Google Scholar]
  7. Brocher, T. M., Carr, M. D., Fox, K. F., Jr & Hart, P. E. (1993) Seismic reflection profiling across Tertiary extensi‐onal structures in the eastern Amargosa Desert, southern Nevada, Basin and Range province. Bull. geol. Soc. Am., 105, 30–46.
    [Google Scholar]
  8. Coney, P. J. (1980) Cordilleran metamorphic core complexes: An overview. In: Cordilleran Metamorphic Core Complexes (Ed. by M. D.Crittenden, P. J.Coney and G. H.Davis). Mem. geol. Soc. Am. 153, 7–31.
  9. Davis, G. H. (1980) Structural characteristics of metamorphic core complexes, southern Arizona. In: Cordilleran Meiamorphic Core complexes (Ed. by M. D.Crittenden, P. J.Coney and G. H.Davis). Mem. geol. Soc. Am. 153, 7–31.
  10. Davis, G. H. & Hardy, J. J., Jr (1981) The Eagle Pass detachment, southeastern Arizona: product of mid‐Miocene listric(?) normal faulting in the southern Basin and Range. Bull. geol. soc Am., 92, 749–762.
    [Google Scholar]
  11. Dickson, J. J. & Izett, G. A. (1981) Fission‐track ages of air‐fall tuffs in Pliocene basin‐fill sediment near 111 Ranch, Graham County, Arizona. Isochron / West, 32, 13–15.
    [Google Scholar]
  12. DiGuiseppi, W. H. & Bartley, J. M. (1991) Stratigraphic effects of change from internal to external drainage in an extending basin, southeastern Nevada. Bull. geol. Soc. Am., 103, 48–55.
    [Google Scholar]
  13. Dorsey, R. J. & Becker, U. (1995) Evolution of a large Miocene growth structure in the upper plate of the Whipple detachment fault, north‐eastern Whipple Mountains, California. Basin Res., 7, 151–163.
    [Google Scholar]
  14. Drewes, H., Houser, B. B., Hedlund, D. C., Richter, D. H., Thorman, C. H. & Finnell, T. L. (1985) Geologic map of the Silver City 1°× 2° quadrangle, New Mexico and Arizona. U.S. geol. Surv. Misc. Invest. Series Map, 1–1310‐C.
  15. Dula, W. F., Jr (1991) Geometric models of listric normal faults and rollover folds. Bull. Am. Ass. petrol. Geol., 75, 1609–1625.
    [Google Scholar]
  16. Eberly, L. D. & Stanley, T. B., Jr (1978) Cenozoic stratigraphy and geologic history of southwestern Arizona. Bull. geol. Soc. Am., 89, 921–940.
    [Google Scholar]
  17. Effimoff, I. & Pinezich, A. R. (1986) Tertiary structural development of selected basins: Basin and Range Province, northeastern Nevada. In: Extensional Tectonics of the Southwestern United States: A Perspective on Processes and Kinematicsin (Ed. by L.Mayer). Geol. Soc. Am. Spec. Paper. 208, 31–42.
  18. Fedo, C. M. & Miller, J. M. G. (1992) Evolution of a Miocene half‐graben basin, Colorado River extensional corridor, southeastern California. Bull. geol. Soc. Am., 104, 481–493.
    [Google Scholar]
  19. Gibbs, A. D. (1983) Balanced cross‐section construction from seismic sections in areas of extensional tectonics. J. struct. Geol., 5, 153–160.
    [Google Scholar]
  20. Gibbs, A. D. (1984) Structural evolution of extensional basin margins. J. geol. Soc. London, 141, 609–620.
    [Google Scholar]
  21. Gordon, I. & Heller, P. L. (1993) Evaluating major controls on basinal stratipaphy, Pine Valley, Nevada: implications for syntectonic deposition. Bull. geol. Soc. Am., 105, 47–55.
    [Google Scholar]
  22. Groshong, R. H., Jr (1989) Half‐graben structures: balanced models of extensional fault‐bend folds. Bull. geol. Soc. Am., 101, 96–105.
    [Google Scholar]
  23. Hamilton, W. (1988) Detachment faulting in the Death Valley region, California and Nevada. Bull. U.S. geol. Surv., 1790, 51–85.
    [Google Scholar]
  24. Harbour, J. (1966) Stratigraphy and sedimentology of the upper Sufford basin sediments. PhD dissert., University of Arizona, Tucson .
  25. Hardy, S. & Poblet, J. (1994) Geometric and numerical model of progressive limb rotation in detachment folds. Geology. 22, 371–374.
    [Google Scholar]
  26. Heller, P. L., Angevine, C. L., Winslow, N. S. & Paola, C. (1988) Two‐phase stratigraphic model of foreland‐basin sequence. Geolgy, 16, 501–504.
    [Google Scholar]
  27. Heller, P. L. & Paola, C. (1992) The large‐scale dynamics of grain‐size variation in alluvial basins, 2: Application to syntectonic conglomerate. Basin Res., 4, 91–102.
    [Google Scholar]
  28. Higgs, W. G., Williams, G. D. & Powll, C. M. (1991) Evidence for flexural shear folding associated with extensional faults. Bull. geol. Soc. Am., 103, 710–717.
    [Google Scholar]
  29. Holt, W. E., Chase, C. G. & Wallace, T. C. (1986) Crustal structure from three‐dimensional gravity modeling of a metamorphic core complex: a model for uplift, Santa Catalina‐Rincon mountains, Arizona. Geology, 14, 927–930.
    [Google Scholar]
  30. Houser, B. B. (1990) Late Cenozoic stratigraphy and tectonics of the Safford basin, southeastern Arizona. In: Geologic Excursions Through the Sonoran Desert Region, Arizona and Sonora (Ed. by G. E.Gehrels and J. E.Spencer). Arizona geol. Surv. Spec. Paper. 7, 20–30.
  31. Houser, B. B., Richter, D. H. & Shaetqullah, M. (1985) Geologic map of the Safford quadrangle, Graham County, Arizona. U.S. geol. Surv. Misc. Invest. Series Map, 1–1617.
  32. Jackson, J. & McKenzie., D. (1983) The geometrical evolution of normal fault systems. J. strut. Geol., 5, 471–482.
    [Google Scholar]
  33. Johnson, R. A. & Loy, K. I. (1992) Seismic reflection evidence for seismogenic low‐angle faulting in southeastern Arizona. Geology, 20, 597–600.
    [Google Scholar]
  34. Kruger, J. M. (1991) Seimic crustal structure beneath the Safford basin and Pinaleño Mountains: implications for Cenozoic extension and metamorphic core complex uplift in SE Arizona. PhD dissert., University of Arizona, Tucson .
  35. Kruger, J. M. & Johnson, R. A. (1994) Raft model of crustal extension: evidence from seismic reflection data in southeast Arizona. Geology, 22, 351–354.
    [Google Scholar]
  36. Kruger, J. M., Okaya, D. A., Reynolds, S. J. & Faulds, J. E. (1994) Three‐dimensional seismic crustal structure of metamorphic core complexes, detachment faults and accommodation zones in western and central Arizona [abst]. EOS, Trans. Am. Geophys. Union, 75, 644.
    [Google Scholar]
  37. Lister, G. S. & Davis, G. A. (1989) The origin of metamorphic core complexes and detachment faults formed during Tertiary continental extension in the northern Colorado River region, U.S.A. J. struct. Geol., 11, 65–94.
    [Google Scholar]
  38. Lysonski, J. C., Sumner, J. S., Aiken, C. & Schmidt, J. S. (1980) Residual Bouguer gravity anomaly map of Arizona (IGSN 71). University of Arizona Laboratory of Geophysics, Tucson .
    [Google Scholar]
  39. Machette, M. N., Personius, S. F., Menges, C. M. & Pearthree, P. A. (1986) Map showing Quaternary and Pliocene faults in the Silver City 1°× 2° quadrangle and the Douglas 1°× 2° quadrangle, southeastern Arizona and Southwestern New Mexico. U.S. geol. Surv. Misc. Field Studies Map, MF‐1465‐C.
  40. Manning, A. H. & Bartley, J. M. (1994) Postmylonitic deformation in the Raft River metamorphic core complex, northwestern Utah: evidence of a rolling hinge. Tectonics, 13, 596–612.
    [Google Scholar]
  41. Marlowe, J. L. (1961) Late Cenozoic geology of the lower Safford basin on the San Carlos indian Reservation, Arizona. PhD dissert., University of Arizona, Tucson .
  42. Menges, C. M. & Pearthree, P. A. (1989) Late Cenozoic tectonism in Arizona and its impact on regional landscape evolution. In: Geologic Evolution of Arizona (Ed. by J. P.Jenney and S. J.Reynolds). Arizona geol. Soc. Digest. 17, 649–680.
  43. Naruk, S. J. (1986) Strain and displacement across the Pinaleiio Mountains shear zone, Arizona, U.S.A. J. struct. Geol., 8, 35–46.
    [Google Scholar]
  44. Naruk, S. J. (1987) Displacement calculations across a metamorphic core complex mylonite zone: Pinaleño Mountains, southeastern Arizona. Geology, 15, 656–660.
    [Google Scholar]
  45. Oppenheimer, J. M. & Sumner, J. S. (1980) Depth‐to‐bedrock map, Basin and Range province, Arizona. University of Arizona Laboratory of Geophysics, Tucson .
    [Google Scholar]
  46. Paola, C. (1988) Subsidence and gravel transport in alluvial basins. In: New Perspectives in Basin Analysis (Ed by K. L.Kleinspehn and C.Paola ), pp. 231–243. Springer‐Verlag, New York .
    [Google Scholar]
  47. Paola, C., Heller, P. L. & Angevine, C. L. (1992) The large‐scale dynamics of grain‐size variation in alluvial basins. 1: Theory. Basin Res., 4, 73–90.
    [Google Scholar]
  48. Peirce, H. W. (1985) Arizona's backbone: the transition zone. Arizona Bureau geol. Min. Tech. Fieidnotes, 15, 3, 1–6.
    [Google Scholar]
  49. Planke, S. & Smith, R. B. (1991) Cenozoic extension and evolution of the Sevier Desert basin, Utah, from seismic reflection, gravity, and well log data. Tectonics, 10, 345–365.
    [Google Scholar]
  50. Rehrig, W. A. & Reynolds, S. J. (1980) Geologic and geochronologic reconnaissance of a northwest‐trending zone of metamorphic core complexes in southern and western Arizona. In: Cordilleran Metamorphic Core Complexes (Ed. by M. D.Crittenden, P. J.Coney and G. H.Davis). Mem. geol. Soc. Am. 153, 131–157.
  51. Reynolds, S. J. (1988) Geologic map of Arizona. Arizona Geological Survey, Tucson .
    [Google Scholar]
  52. Reynolds, S. J., Okaya, D. A., Kruger, J. M., Faulds, J. E. & Potochnik, A. (1994) Three‐dimensional geometry of detachment faults and metamorphic core complexes from industry seismic reflection profiles, western and central Arizona [abst.]. Geol. Soc. Am. Abst. with Prog., 26, 7, A‐250.
    [Google Scholar]
  53. Richter, D. H., Houser, B. B. & Damon, P. E. (1983) Geologic map of the Guthrie quadrangle, Graham and Greenlee Counties, Arizona. U.S. geol. Surv. Mix. Invest. Series Map, 1–1455.
  54. Richter, D. H., Shafiqullah, M. & Lawrence, V. A. (1981) Geologic map of the Whitlock Mountains and vicinity, Graham County, Arizona. U.S. geol. Surv. Mix. Invest. Series Map, 1–1302.
  55. Scarborough, R. (1989) Cenozoic erosion and sedimentation in Arizona. In: Geologic Evolution of Arizona (Ed. by J. P.Jenney and S. J.Reynolds). Arizona geol. SOC. Digest, 17, 515–537.
  56. Simons, F. S. (1987) Geologic map of the Black Rock wilderness study area. U.S. geol. Surv. Misc. Field Studies Map, MF‐ 1918.
  57. Spencer, J. E. (1984) Role of tectonic denudation in warping and uplift of low‐angle normal faults. Geology, 12, 95–98.
    [Google Scholar]
  58. Spencer, J. E. & Reynolds, S. J. (1989) Middle Tertiary tectonics of Arizona and adjacent areas. In: Geologic Evolution of Arizona (Ed. by J. P.Jenney and S. J.Reynolds). Arizona geol. Soc. Digest. 17, 539–574.
  59. Thorman, C. H. (1981) Geology of the Pinaleiio Mountains, Arizona: a preliminary report. Arizona geol. Soc. Digest, 13, 5–12.
    [Google Scholar]
  60. Thorman, C. H. & Naruk, S. J. (1987) Generalized bedrock geologic map and distribution of mylonitic rocks in the eastern Pinaleño Mountains, Graham County, Arizona. U.S. geol. Surv. Open File Rept., 87–0614.
  61. Toro, J., Gehrels, G. E., Johnson, R. A., Biggs, T. H., Centeno‐Garcia, E., Colburn, N. I., Jackson, J. L., Kruger, J. M., Meader, N. M., Pitts, G. S., Restrepo, P. A. & Skirvin, S. M. (1990) Geologic map of the Black Rock detachment, Santa Teresa Mountains, SE Arizona. Arizona geol. Sum. Contrib. Map, CM‐90‐B.
  62. Wallace, T. C., Chase, C. G., Holt, W. E. & Hiller, J. W. (1986) A geophysical study of the crustal structure near a metamorphic core complex. In: Frontiers in Geology and Ore Deposits of Arizona and the Southwest (Ed. by B.Beatty and P. A. K.Wilkinson). Arizona geoi. Soc. Digest. 16, 153–158.
  63. Wernicke, B. P. & Axen, G. J. (1988) On the role of isostasy in the evolution of normal fault systems. Geology, 16, 848–851.
    [Google Scholar]
  64. West, R. E. & Sumner, J. S. (1973) Bouguer gravity anomaly map of Arizona. University of Arizona Laboratory of Geophysics, Tucson .
    [Google Scholar]
  65. White, N. J., Jackson, J. A. & McKenzie, D. P. (1986) The relationship between the geometry of normal faults and that of the sedimentary layers in their hanging walls. J. struct. Geol., 8, 897–909.
    [Google Scholar]
  66. Wynn, J. C. (1981) Complete Bouguer gravity anomaly map of the Silver City 1°× 2° quadrangle, New Mexico‐Arizona. U.S. geol. Surv. Misc. Invest. Series Map, 1–1310‐A.
  67. Xiao, H. & Suppe, J. (1992) Origin of rollover. Bull. Am. Ass. petrol. Geol., 76, 509–529.
    [Google Scholar]
http://instance.metastore.ingenta.com/content/journals/10.1111/j.1365-2117.1995.tb00100.x
Loading
  • Article Type: Research Article

Most Cited This Month Most Cited RSS feed

This is a required field
Please enter a valid email address
Approval was a Success
Invalid data
An Error Occurred
Approval was partially successful, following selected items could not be processed due to error