Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Subsurface geology of the Pajarito Plateau, Espanola Basin, New Mexico

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:5404689
Integration of data from wells, geophysical surveys, and surface exposures has enabled construction of structure contour and paleogeologic maps of the pre-Bandelier Tuff surface beneath the Pajarito Plateau. Numerous faults of the Rio Grande rift system cut the pre-Bandelier Tuff surface, and most have down-to-the-west displacements. Cumulative down-to-the-west movements across these faults from the Rio Grande on the east to the Rendija Canyon fault zone on the west exceed 600 ft (185 m). All faults in the area show evidence of recurrent activity, with increasing displacements of progressively older rock units. The southern Pajarito fault zone has over 600 ft (185 m) of pre-Bandelier Tuff down-to-the-east movement. The Pajarito fault zone and a major pre-Bandelier Tuff fault identified herein may constitute the local boundaries of the southern continuation of the intra-rift Velarde graben. The paleogeologic map shows that three major rock units (Cerros del Rio basalts, Tschicoma Formation dacites, and Puye Formation gravels) underlie the Bandelier Tuff and interfinger beneath the central Pajarito Plateau. 29 refs., 2 figs., 1 tab.
Research Organization:
Los Alamos National Lab., NM (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-36
OSTI ID:
5404689
Report Number(s):
LA-10455-MS; ON: DE85016215
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English