The Meers Fault: Tectonic activity in southwestern Oklahoma
The Meers Fault in Southwestern Oklahoma is capable of producing large, damaging earthquakes. By comparison to historical events, a minimum of M = 6-3/4 to 7-1/4 could be expected. The most recent surface rupturing event occurred in the late Holocene, and it appears that one or more pre-Holocene events preceded it. Surface rupture length is at least 37 km. Displacements comprising the present-day scarp have left-lateral and high-angle reverse components. Vertical separation of the ground surface reaches 5 m, while lateral separation exceeds the vertical by a ratio of about 3:1 to 5:1, reaching about 20 m. Individual events apparently had maximum displacements of several meters. The Meers Fault may be part of a larger active zone. Based on surface expressions, the Washita Valley, Oklahoma and Potter County, Texas Faults may also have ruptures during the late Quaternary, although not as recently as the Meers Fault. Low sun angle photography in Southwestern Oklahoma revealed no evidence of fault activity, other than that of the Meers Fault, although activity may be concealed by poor preservation or ductile surface deformation. This suggests that additional areas of activity may be sparse and rupture infrequently.
- Research Organization:
- Nevada Univ., Reno (USA). Center for Neotectonic Studies; Weston (Roy F.), Inc., Washington, DC (USA); Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC (USA). Div. of Engineering Safety
- OSTI ID:
- 6691136
- Report Number(s):
- NUREG/CR-4852; ON: TI87900569
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Microfiche only, copy does not permit paper copy reproduction
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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