Project Info
Pre-Laramide salt tectonics in the eagle evaporite basin: A new paradigm for the tectonic evolution of central Colorado
Mary Carr | mcarr@mines.edu
“The Paradox Basin of eastern Utah shows excellent examples of the impact of salt movement on the distribution of sediments through time. The closely related Eagle Evaporite Basin of Central Colorado evolved over the same time period (Pennsylvanian -Triassic) and shows some of the same stratal geometries. No significant research has been done on the Eagle Basin since the development of modern interpretations of salt tectonics in the 1990s. An initial review of published USGS and CGS maps across the Eagle Evaporite Basin shows not only extensive evaporites at the surface, but also areas of dramatically thickened Pennsylvanian-Triassic basinal sequences that thin notably towards the basin margins bounded by evaporites. Steepening and in places, overturned bedding adjacent to the evaporites are potentially indicative of salt tectonics, which would also explain stratal thickening patterns and significant gaps in the current sub-surface cross sections.
The project began September 2017 and some outcrop data has been collected, but it is critical that the map and cross section geometries discussed above are thoroughly geo-spatially documented. The undergraduate student would initially be responsible for building a GIS database (using Global Mapper) for the Eagle Basin. The student would also be involved in flying a drone to collect aerial photography in the field area. In addition to field mapping , the undergraduate will learn how to compile and interpret GIS data from previous studies and apply relevant key results to the Eagle Basin.”
More Information
“Tweto, Ogden, 1977, Nomenclature of Precambrian rocks in Colorado: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 1422-D, 22 p.
Tweto, Odgen, 1979, Geologic map of Colorado: U.S. Geological Survey, scale 1:500,000.
Jackson, M.P.A. and M.R. Hudec, 2017, Salt Tectonics: Principles and Practice, 454p. DOI · 10.1017/9781139003988”
Grand Engineering: Enhance virtual reality
Student Preparation
Qualifications
“Some basic software skills, such as Excel, Matlab, and GIS familiarity would be preferred, but not necessary.
Most of the work will be in Global Mapper, which is a 3D mapping and modeling software package.
Drone deploy software in order to collect aerial photos to build digital elevation models (DEM).”
Time Commitment
20 hours/month
Skills/Techniques Gained
“Integration of different software packages and data types to build 3D models of a structural complex basin.
Digitizing data.
Learn to fly a drone and collect aerial photos to build digital elevation models (DEM) using drone deploy software.”
Mentoring Plan
Meet on a weekly basis with the student to train them on the software and help them trouble-shot any data issues. Provide them with background reading material on the project to help them become a data analyzer as well as data collector. They would have the opportunity to go out in the field on weekends in the fall to serve as a field assistant to the Master’s student on the project.