Earth and Planetary Sciences ETDs

Publication Date

Summer 7-29-2024

Abstract

Analysis of long-term average bedrock incision rates along the Río Salado-Jemez system using fluvial terraces can be used to test and quantify the hypothesis that differential river incision reflects Quaternary fault slip during ongoing uplift of the Jemez and Nacimiento Mountains. Terrace flights were correlated from the Arroyo Peñasco to the Río Salado near the southern nose of the Nacimiento and along the Río Jemez. Using highest/oldest river terraces, resulting bedrock incision values average out glacial/interglacial cycles and are interpreted to reflect differential uplift. For previously mapped and correlated terraces, we applied lidar datasets to refine strath heights. We also utilized new and published dating based on U-series dating of travertine-cemented fluvial deposits, tephrochronology on interbedded ash, and 40Ar/39Ar dating of detrital sanidines to constrain terrace ages. Our hypothesis using new geochronology suggests that Quaternary fault slip rates are similar to river incision rates as expected in neotectonically uplifting regions.

Degree Name

Earth and Planetary Sciences

Level of Degree

Masters

Department Name

Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences

First Committee Member (Chair)

Karl Karlstrom

Second Committee Member

Laura Crossey

Third Committee Member

Matthew Heizler

Language

English

Keywords

Geomorphology, Tectonics, Incision, Geochronology, San Ysidro, Jemez

Document Type

Thesis

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