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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Evidence of young fault movements on the Pajarito fault system in the area of Los Alamos, New Mexico

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:5177604
Los Alamos lies along and upon the Pajarito fault system, a major intragraben structure of the Rio Grande rift. This fault system consists of over 100 km of interconnected fault zones and traces. Geomorphic evidence, including righ-lateral steps in stream valleys and disrupted drainages, as well as apparent vertical offset of alluvial units determined by seismic refraction, strongly suggests that the Pajarito fault zone is active. To evaluate seismic hazards in the Los Alamos area, values for recurrence intervals and characteristic earthquakes of the faults must be determined. We recommend the trenching of young alluvium in Rendija and Guaje canyons to obtain information regarding recurrence of the characteristic earthquake. 23 refs., 9 figs.
Research Organization:
Los Alamos National Lab., NM (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-36
OSTI ID:
5177604
Report Number(s):
LA-11156-MS; ON: DE88007818
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English