Geology of the Nine Canyon Map Area

Technical Report · Fri Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1978

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6508502· OSTI ID:6508502

Jones, M. G.; Landon, R. D.

The basalt stratigraphy and structure of a 175-square kilometer area (the Nine Canyon Map Area) along the southern margin of the Pasco Basin have been studied to help assess the feasibility of a nuclear waste terminal storage facility. Detailed mapping shows that uplift of the Horse Heaven Hills began prior to extrusion of the Priest Rapids Member of the Wanapum Basalt, Columbia River Basalt Group. Both the Pomoma and the Elephant Mountain members (Saddle Mountains Basalt, Columbia River Basalt Group) are wide-spread throughout the basin, but thin considerably along the Horse Heaven Hills in the vicinity of Wallula Gap. The Ice Harbor Member is present only along the northern margin of the map area and possibly occupies a paleo-channel. The Rattlesnake Hills-Wallula Gap Lineament trends north 60 degrees west and intersects the older Horse Heaven Hills anticline in Wallula Gap. Four faults of short length and small vertical displacement are located along this structure. Within the map area, the intensity of folding increases, and the style of faulting changes from normal to reverse with proximity to the Wallula Gap area. No evidence for Quaternary deformation was found.

• Research Organization: Atomics International Div., Richland, WA (USA). Rockwell Hanford Operations
• DOE Contract Number: EY-77-C-06-1030
• OSTI ID: 6508502
• Report Number(s): RHO-BWI-LD-6
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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AGE ESTIMATION
BASALT
COLUMBIA RIVER
COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN
GEOLOGY
IGNEOUS ROCKS
MANAGEMENT
NORTH AMERICA
PACIFIC NORTHWEST REGION
RADIOACTIVE WASTE STORAGE
RIVERS
ROCKS
STORAGE
STRATIGRAPHY
STREAMS
SURFACE WATERS
USA
WASHINGTON
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE STORAGE