Geologic characterization report for the Paradox Basin Study Region, Utah Study Areas. Volume 6. Salt Valley
Surface landforms in the Salt Valley Area are generally a function of the Salt Valley anticline and are characterized by parallel and subparallel cuestaform ridges and hogbacks and flat valley floors. The most prominent structure in the Area is the Salt Valley anticline. Erosion resulting from the Tertiary uplift of the Colorado Plateau led to salt dissolution and subsequent collapse along the crest of the anticline. Continued erosion removed the collapse material, forming an axial valley along the crest of the anticline. Paleozoic rocks beneath the salt bearing Paradox Formation consist of limestone, dolomite, sandstone, siltstone and shale. The salt beds of the Paradox Formation occur in distinct cycles separated by an interbed sequence of anhydrite, carbonate, and clastic rocks. The Paradox Formation is overlain by Pennsylvanian limestone; Permian sandstone; and Mesozoic sandstone, mudstone, conglomerate and shale. No earthquakes have been reported in the Area during the period of the historic record and contemporary seismicity appears to be diffusely distributed, of low level and small magnitude. The upper unit includes the Permian strata and upper Honaker Trail Formation. The current data base is insufficient to estimate ground-water flow rates and directions in this unit. The middle unit includes the evaporites in the Paradox Formation and no laterally extensive flow systems are apparent. The lower unit consists of the rocks below the Paradox Formation where permeabilities vary widely, and the apparent flow direction is toward the west. 108 refs., 39 figs., 9 tabs.
- Research Organization:
- Woodward-Clyde Consultants, San Francisco, CA (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC02-83CH10140
- OSTI ID:
- 5326922
- Report Number(s):
- ONWI-290; ON: DE85011699
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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58 GEOSCIENCES
580100 -- Geology & Hydrology-- (-1989)
DATA
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
FEDERAL REGION VIII
GEOLOGY
GEOMORPHOLOGY
HYDROLOGY
INFORMATION
MANAGEMENT
MAPS
NORTH AMERICA
NUMERICAL DATA
PARADOX BASIN
RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL
SITE SELECTION
STRATIGRAPHY
TECTONICS
TOPOGRAPHY
USA
UTAH
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT