Evidence for a major, tectonically active structure beneath the coastal plain of North and South Carolina
- Univ. of South Carolina, Columbia, SC (United States). Geology Dept.
Evaluation of Landsat imagery, aerial photography, potential field data, and topographic maps have revealed a linear, [approximately]400-km-long, NNE-trending zone in the coastal plain of North and South Carolina. This zone is composed of subtle topographic highs, aeromagnetic anomalies, and in some locations mapped and inferred faults. It is also associated with a zone of river anomalies (ZRA). Various data suggest that the ZRA may be associated with tectonic activity on a large right-lateral strike-slip fault system. The ZRA in the South Carolina coastal plain is defined by an [approximately]15-km-wide NNE-trending zone that crosses NW-SE-flowing rivers. Along this zone the rivers are characterized by river bends that are convex toward the NNE, incised channels, changes in river patterns, and convex-upward longitudinal profiles. In the coastal plain and eastern Slate Belt of North Carolina the ZRA (width yet to be determined) displays a slightly more northeasterly trend that is highlighted by linear aeromagnetic anomalies and right-lateral offsets of larger rivers crossing its trend. This feature is not traceable across the southern flank of the Cape Fear Arch and north of this area the ZRA's trend is offset [approximately]15 km toward the east (right step geometry) from that of the ZRA in South Carolina. Analyses of geologic and geophysical data further indicate that these two zones may be the result of ongoing tectonic uplift along a NNE-trending right-lateral strike-slip fault zone possibly associated with recent seismicity near Charleston.
- OSTI ID:
- 6786145
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9404221-; CODEN: GAAPBC
- Journal Information:
- Geological Society of America, Abstracts with Programs; (United States), Vol. 26:4; Conference: 43. annual meeting of the Southeastern Section of the Geological Society of America, Blacksburg, VA (United States), 7-8 Apr 1994; ISSN 0016-7592
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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